Positive Grid Spark 2 settings
Panama settings for Positive Grid Spark 2
Van Halen · adapted 3 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Van Halen "Panama" riff tone on a Positive Grid Spark 2, select the Treadplate preset, then set Gain 8.5, Bass 5, Mid 7, Treble 7, Reverb 0.5, Music volume 5. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Fender Stratocaster · updated 2026-10-09
- Preset / mode
- Treadplate
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Positive Grid Spark 2 knobs
- Gain
- 8.5
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 7
- Treble
- 7
- Reverb
- 0.5
- Music volume
- 5
- Guitar volume
- 8
Built-in effects
- Reverb on (spring) · 4
Playing tips
- Use tight palm muting to achieve percussive rhythm.
- Focus on aggressive pick attack to enhance the dynamic response.
- Experiment with subtle variations in picking intensity for harmonic richness.
The original rig
What Van Halen used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Positive Grid Spark 2 actually has.
- Guitar
- Kramer 5150 (Frankenstrat-style, custom build by Eddie Van Halen)
- Amp
- Marshall Super Lead 1959 100-watt (run through a Variac, voltage lowered to ~90V)
- Gain
- 8.5
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 7
- Treble
- 7.5
- Presence
- 6
- Reverb
- 2.5
Different guitar or pedals? Get Panama adapted to your exact rig
These settings were generated for the gear named above. ToneAdapt adapts Van Halen's tone to your own guitar, pickups, amp and pedals in seconds.
Frequently asked questions
What preset should I use on the Positive Grid Spark 2 for Panama?
Start from the Treadplate preset, then set Gain 8.5, Bass 5, Mid 7, Treble 7, Reverb 0.5, Music volume 5.
Which pickup should I use for Panama?
Bridge pickup, with the guitar's tone at 7-8 and volume at 8-9.
What gear did Van Halen use on Panama?
Guitar: Kramer 5150 (Frankenstrat-style, custom build by Eddie Van Halen). Amp: Marshall Super Lead 1959 100-watt (run through a Variac, voltage lowered to ~90V).
Will these settings work with my guitar?
These settings were adapted for a Fender Stratocaster. Different pickups change how much gain and treble you need. ToneAdapt adapts the tone to your exact guitar, pickups, amp and pedals.
Panama on other amps
Popular songs on the Positive Grid Spark 2
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Walk · Pantera
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Pride and Joy · Stevie Ray Vaughan
- Raining Blood · Slayer
Settings are generated by ToneAdapt's tone adaptation for the gear named on this page and are a starting point — every amp, guitar and room is a little different.