Positive Grid Spark settings
Panama settings for Positive Grid Spark
Van Halen · adapted 2 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Van Halen "Panama" riff tone on a Positive Grid Spark, select the Metal preset, then set Gain 8.5, Bass 5.5, Mid 7, Treble 7.5, Presence 6, Reverb 0.5. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
Adapted for a ESP LTD EC-1000 · updated 2026-04-12
- Preset / mode
- Metal
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Positive Grid Spark knobs
- Gain
- 8.5
- Bass
- 5.5
- Mid
- 7
- Treble
- 7.5
- Presence
- 6
- Reverb
- 0.5
Built-in effects
- Reverb off
Playing tips
- Use tight palm muting to achieve the percussive attack characteristic of the riff.
- Focus on dynamic pick attack to accentuate the aggressive nature of the tone.
- Engage the amp's built-in flanger to replicate the sweeping modulation effect heard in the riff.
The original rig
What Van Halen used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Positive Grid Spark 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 for Panama?
Start from the Metal preset, then set Gain 8.5, Bass 5.5, Mid 7, Treble 7.5, Presence 6, Reverb 0.5.
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 ESP LTD EC-1000. 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
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Walk · Pantera
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Raining Blood · Slayer
- Highway to Hell · AC/DC
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.