Vox Valvetronix VT40X settings
Teenage Dirtbag settings for Vox Valvetronix VT40X
Wheatus · adapted 2 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Wheatus "Teenage Dirtbag" riff tone on a Vox Valvetronix VT40X, select the Brit 800 preset, then set Gain 6, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6, Reverb 0.5, Bias shift 1. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Kramer Striker 100ST · updated 2026-10-15
- Preset / mode
- Brit 800
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Vox Valvetronix VT40X knobs
- Gain
- 6
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 6
- Treble
- 6
- Reverb
- 0.5
- Bias shift
- 1
- Power level
- 8
- Class selector
- 1
Built-in effects
- Reverb on (Room) · 0.5
Playing tips
- Use a percussive strumming technique to emphasize the crunch.
- Experiment with palm muting for tighter attack on the riff.
- Try varying your picking dynamics for a more expressive sound.
The original rig
What Wheatus used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Vox Valvetronix VT40X actually has.
- Guitar
- Ovation Celebrity Electro-Acoustic (likely CC257 or similar, as used by Brendan B. Brown in studio)
- Amp
- SansAmp PSA-1 (rackmount preamp, direct to board)
- Gain
- 6
- Bass
- 6
- Mid
- 7
- Treble
- 7
- Presence
- 5.5
- Reverb
- 2
Different guitar or pedals? Get Teenage Dirtbag adapted to your exact rig
These settings were generated for the gear named above. ToneAdapt adapts Wheatus's tone to your own guitar, pickups, amp and pedals in seconds.
Frequently asked questions
What preset should I use on the Vox Valvetronix VT40X for Teenage Dirtbag?
Start from the Brit 800 preset, then set Gain 6, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6, Reverb 0.5, Bias shift 1.
Which pickup should I use for Teenage Dirtbag?
Bridge pickup, with the guitar's tone at 7-8 and volume at 8-9.
What gear did Wheatus use on Teenage Dirtbag?
Guitar: Ovation Celebrity Electro-Acoustic (likely CC257 or similar, as used by Brendan B. Brown in studio). Amp: SansAmp PSA-1 (rackmount preamp, direct to board).
Will these settings work with my guitar?
These settings were adapted for a Kramer Striker 100ST. Different pickups change how much gain and treble you need. ToneAdapt adapts the tone to your exact guitar, pickups, amp and pedals.
Teenage Dirtbag on other amps
Popular songs on the Vox Valvetronix VT40X
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Iron Man · Black Sabbath
- Boys Don't Cry (Single Version) · The Cure
- Walk · Pantera
- The Chain · Fleetwood Mac
- Highway to Hell · AC/DC
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Take It Easy · Eagles
- Johnny B. Goode · Chuck Berry
- Paranoid Android · Radiohead
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.