VOX VT20X settings
Alive settings for VOX VT20X
Pearl Jam · adapted 2 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Pearl Jam "Alive" solo tone on a VOX VT20X, select the VOX AC30 preset, then set Gain 1.5, Bass 5, Mid 7, Treble 6.5, Presence 4, Reverb 1.5. Use the neck + middle pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Solo settings
Adapted for a Yamaha Pacifica 012 · updated 2026-06-03
- Preset / mode
- VOX AC30
- Pickup
- Neck + Middle
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
VOX VT20X knobs
- Gain
- 1.5
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 7
- Treble
- 6.5
- Presence
- 4
- Reverb
- 1.5
- Value 1
- 5
- Value 2
- 5
- Power level
- 8
- Noise reduction
- 1
Built-in effects
- Reverb on (spring) · 3
Playing tips
- Use your amp's built-in reverb set to 3 for a spacious feel.
- Pick dynamically to achieve the glassy highs and articulate response.
- Experiment with your picking attack to enhance note separation.
The original rig
What Pearl Jam used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your VOX VT20X actually has.
- Guitar
- Fender Stratocaster (likely 1960s or '57 Reissue, Aged White, as seen in 1991-92 live footage)
- Amp
- Marshall 1960A 4x12 Cabinet with 65 Amps Empire 22-watt Tube Head and/or Satellite Atom 36-Watt Head (studio era, early 1990s)
- Gain
- 6
- Bass
- 6
- Mid
- 7
- Treble
- 6.5
- Presence
- 6
- Reverb
- 2.5
Different guitar or pedals? Get Alive adapted to your exact rig
These settings were generated for the gear named above. ToneAdapt adapts Pearl Jam's tone to your own guitar, pickups, amp and pedals in seconds.
Frequently asked questions
What preset should I use on the VOX VT20X for Alive?
Start from the VOX AC30 preset, then set Gain 1.5, Bass 5, Mid 7, Treble 6.5, Presence 4, Reverb 1.5.
Which pickup should I use for Alive?
Neck + Middle, with the guitar's tone at 7-8 and volume at 8-9.
What gear did Pearl Jam use on Alive?
Guitar: Fender Stratocaster (likely 1960s or '57 Reissue, Aged White, as seen in 1991-92 live footage). Amp: Marshall 1960A 4x12 Cabinet with 65 Amps Empire 22-watt Tube Head and/or Satellite Atom 36-Watt Head (studio era, early 1990s).
Will these settings work with my guitar?
These settings were adapted for a Yamaha Pacifica 012. Different pickups change how much gain and treble you need. ToneAdapt adapts the tone to your exact guitar, pickups, amp and pedals.
Alive on other amps
Popular songs on the VOX VT20X
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
- Smells Like Teen Spirit · Nirvana
- Walk · Pantera
- Iron Man · Black Sabbath
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- 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.