Vox Valvetronix VT20X settings
Mr. Brightside settings for Vox Valvetronix VT20X
The Killers · adapted 2 times on ToneAdapt
To get the The Killers "Mr. Brightside" riff tone on a Vox Valvetronix VT20X, select the CLASSIC TWEED 4x10 preset, then set Gain 4.5, Bass 4, Mid 7, Treble 8, Reverb 5, Tap tempo 0. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
updated 2026-10-19
- Preset / mode
- CLASSIC TWEED 4x10
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 8 · Volume 8-9
Vox Valvetronix VT20X knobs
- Gain
- 4.5
- Bass
- 4
- Mid
- 7
- Treble
- 8
- Reverb
- 5
- Tap tempo
- 0
- Amp models selector
- 3
Built-in effects
- Chorus on
- Reverb on (Spring) · 5
Playing tips
- Use your amp's built-in chorus set to a moderate level to recreate the spacious feel of the original tone.
- Dial in the reverb to enhance the ambient quality of the riff.
- Play with a light touch to maintain clarity and chime in the notes.
The original rig
What The Killers used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Vox Valvetronix VT20X actually has.
- Guitar
- Fender Stratocaster (likely American Standard, early 2000s, as used by Dave Keuning on the studio recording)
- Amp
- Fender Hot Rod DeVille (studio recording, 2003 era; Fender-style amp confirmed by multiple sources)
- Gain
- 4.5
- Bass
- 4.5
- Mid
- 7
- Treble
- 8
- Presence
- 6
- Reverb
- 5
Different guitar or pedals? Get Mr. Brightside adapted to your exact rig
These settings were generated for the gear named above. ToneAdapt adapts The Killers's tone to your own guitar, pickups, amp and pedals in seconds.
Frequently asked questions
What preset should I use on the Vox Valvetronix VT20X for Mr. Brightside?
Start from the CLASSIC TWEED 4x10 preset, then set Gain 4.5, Bass 4, Mid 7, Treble 8, Reverb 5, Tap tempo 0.
Which pickup should I use for Mr. Brightside?
Bridge pickup, with the guitar's tone at 8 and volume at 8-9.
What gear did The Killers use on Mr. Brightside?
Guitar: Fender Stratocaster (likely American Standard, early 2000s, as used by Dave Keuning on the studio recording). Amp: Fender Hot Rod DeVille (studio recording, 2003 era; Fender-style amp confirmed by multiple sources).
Will these settings work with my guitar?
Different pickups change how much gain and treble you need. ToneAdapt adapts the tone to your exact guitar, pickups, amp and pedals.
Mr. Brightside on other amps
- Mr. Brightside on Fender Mustang LT25 · 202
- Mr. Brightside on Boss Katana · 94
- Mr. Brightside on Fender Frontman 10G · 88
- Mr. Brightside on Line 6 Helix Floor / LT / Rack · 52
- Mr. Brightside on Fender Champion 20 · 42
- Mr. Brightside on Neural DSP Quad Cortex · 29
- Mr. Brightside on Fender Frontman 15G · 26
- Mr. Brightside on Line 6 POD Go / POD Go Wireless · 24
Popular songs on the Vox Valvetronix VT20X
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Walk · Pantera
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Sultans of Swing · Dire Straits
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Smells Like Teen Spirit · Nirvana
- 1979 · The Smashing Pumpkins
- Do I Wanna Know? · Arctic Monkeys
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.