Guitar tone · rock, metal

Alice In Chains guitar tone: gear & amp settings

The gear and amp settings behind 49 Alice In Chains songs, researched from rig rundowns, interviews and gear forums. The rig that shows up most: G&L Rampage into Peavey 5150 120-Watt Head.

Guitars Alice In Chains used

G&L Rampage19 songs
Gibson Les Paul Studio6 songs
Spector NS-23 songs
Gibson Les Paul Custom3 songs
1985 G&L Rampage3 songs
G&L Rampage (Jerry Cantrell's main guitar on Facelift)2 songs
G&L Rampage (Jerry Cantrell's main guitar on Dirt album)2 songs
Warwick Streamer Stage I (Moon Burst, 1991)2 songs

Amps Alice In Chains used

Peavey 5150 120-Watt Head3 songs
Marshall JCM800 (Bogner-modded, studio recording)2 songs
Bogner Fish Preamp into power amp (likely VHT or Marshall power section)2 songs
Marshall JCM800 2203 (Bogner-modded, studio recording)2 songs
Bogner Fish Preamp into Marshall 1960B 4x12 cabinet with Celestion Greenbacks2 songs
Bogner Ecstasy 101B2 songs
Bogner Fish preamp with VHT power amp2 songs
Friedman Marsha (Marshall-inspired high-end amp, used by Cantrell in studio and live for this album)1 song

101 Alice In Chains tones

Song	Part	Guitar	Amp	Gain
Man In the Box (Live) · riff	Riff · distorted	G&L Rampage (Jerry Cantrell signature, primary live guitar for 'Man In the Box')	Bogner Fish preamp into VHT Classic power amp (typical live rig for early 1990s AIC, confirmed for live use)	7.5
Nutshell · solo	Solo · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Studio	Marshall JCM800 2203 (Bogner-modded, studio recording)	5.5
Nutshell · riff	Riff · clean	Guild JF-55 acoustic	Likely direct-in or acoustic preamp (studio); no evidence of electric amp used for studio recording	0
Them Bones · riff	Riff · distorted	G&L Rampage (Ivory, single humbucker, Kahler bridge)	Bogner Fish preamp into Marshall JCM800 (Bogner-modded), Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier blended	7.5
We Die Young · riff	Riff · distorted	1985 G&L Rampage	Marshall JCM800 (modified by Bogner), possibly blended with Bogner Fish preamp and Scholz Rockman X100 (for studio layering)	8
Nutshell · riff	Riff · distorted	G&L Rampage	Bogner Fish preamp with VHT power amp	5.5
Would? · riff	Riff · distorted	G&L Rampage (1985, maple neck, single humbucker, Kahler tremolo)	Bogner Fish preamp into Marshall JCM800 (modded by Bogner)	6.5
Down In a Hole · riff	Riff · distorted	G&L Rampage	Bogner Fish Preamp into Marshall JCM900 (modded) power amp	6.5
Rooster · riff	Riff · distorted	G&L Rampage (Jerry Cantrell's main guitar on Dirt album)	Bogner Fish preamp into VHT 2150 power amp (studio recording, Dirt era)	7
Bleed the Freak (Live) · riff	Riff · distorted	G&L Rampage (Jerry Cantrell signature, Ivory finish)	Bogner Fish Preamp into Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier (live rig, early/mid 1990s)	7
Dam That River · riff	Riff · distorted	G&L Rampage	Bogner Fish Preamp into power amp (likely VHT or Marshall), layered with Marshall JCM900	7
Man In the Box (Live) · solo	Solo · distorted	G&L Rampage (Jerry Cantrell signature, 1980s-1990s, live use)	Bogner Ecstasy 100B (live era, early 1990s) or Marshall JCM800 (alternate, some live shows)	7.5
Them Bones · solo	Solo · distorted	1985 G&L Rampage	Marshall JCM800 2203 (Bogner-modded), possibly blended with Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier prototype	8
Would? · distorted	Distorted · distorted	Spector NS‑2 (P/J pickup set)	Ampeg SVT‑II head into SVT‑810E 8×10 cabinet; plus ART SGX Nightbass and DI blending	6.5
Dirt · riff	Riff · distorted	G&L Rampage	Marshall JCM800 2203 (Bogner-modded), Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier (prototype), Bogner Fish Preamp (blended in studio)	5.5
Junkhead · riff	Riff · distorted	G&L Rampage (Ivory, 1980s USA model, likely Kahler tremolo, single humbucker)	Bogner Fish preamp into Marshall JCM800 (modded by Bogner), likely with Marshall 4x12 cabinet	7.5
Man In the Box · riff	Riff · distorted	G&L Rampage (1984, maple neck, single humbucker, Kahler tremolo)	Bogner-modified Marshall JCM800 (studio recording, 1990/91, 'Dirt' album era)	7.5
Would? · clean	Clean · clean	Spector NS‑2 (Mike Starr’s bass in the “Would?” video and studio tone)	Ampeg SVT‑II head into SVT‑810E cabinet (plus ART SGX Nightbass and direct box on Dirt sessions)	0
Again · riff	Riff · distorted	G&L Rampage (1985, Jerry Cantrell's main guitar for Alice In Chains self-titled album)	Peavey 5150 120-Watt Head (studio recording, 1995, Alice In Chains self-titled album)	7.5
Angry Chair · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Custom (early 80s, black, likely stock pickups)	Bogner Fish preamp into VHT Classic power amp (studio recording, 1992)	8
Don't Follow · riff	Riff · clean	Gibson J-45 Acoustic	None (acoustic recorded direct or mic'd, no electric amp used)	1.5
It Ain't Like That · riff	Riff · distorted	G&L Rampage (Jerry Cantrell's original, 1980s-early 90s, Kahler tremolo, single humbucker)	Bogner-modified Marshall JCM800 (studio recording, Dirt album era)	7.5
Man in TheBox · solo	Solo · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Studio	Marshall JCM800 2203 (Bogner-modded), possibly blended with Bogner Fish preamp and Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier	7
Sickman · riff	Riff · distorted	G&L Rampage (Jerry Cantrell's main guitar on Dirt album)	Bogner-modified Marshall JCM800 (primary amp for Dirt album heavy tones)	8
Stone · riff	Riff · distorted	G&L Rampage	Bogner Uberschall 120-Watt Tube Guitar Amp Head	7.5
Would? · solo	Solo · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Studio	Marshall JCM800 2203 (Bogner-modded), possibly blended with Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier and Bogner Fish preamp	6.5
All Secrets Known · riff	Riff · distorted	G&L Rampage	Marshall JCM900 (modded), layered with Bogner Fish Preamp and Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier	7
Bleed the Freak (Live) · solo	Solo · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Custom	Peavey 5150 120-Watt Head	7.5
Bleed the Freak (Live) · solo	Solo · clean	G&L Rampage (primary, Jerry Cantrell's main guitar for this era/live shows)	Marshall JCM800 (most commonly used live amp for Alice In Chains in early 1990s, including 'Live at the Moore')	0
Bleed the Freak (Live) · riff	Riff · clean	G&L Rampage (Jerry Cantrell signature, 1980s-1990s, maple neck, single humbucker, Kahler tremolo)	Bogner Ecstasy 101B (live, 1990s era; Marshall JCM800 possible for some live shows, but Ecstasy is primary for clean sections in 1990s live AIC)	0
Brother · solo	Solo · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Studio	Bogner Fish Preamp into power amp (likely VHT or Marshall power section)	5.5
Check My Brain · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson Jerry Cantrell Wino Les Paul Custom (Signature, 2009)	Bogner Ecstasy 101B	7
Dam That River · solo	Solo · distorted	G&L Rampage (Jerry Cantrell's main guitar at the time, used on Dirt sessions)	Bogner Fish preamp into a VHT Classic power amp and Marshall 4x12 cabinet (studio setup for Dirt era, as per Cantrell interviews and Equipboard)	7.5
Died · riff	Riff · distorted	G&L Rampage	Bogner Fish Preamp into Marshall 1960B 4x12 cab (Celestion Greenbacks), layered with Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier and Peavey 5150	7
Died · distorted	Distorted · distorted	Warwick Streamer Stage I (Moon Burst, 1991)	Ampeg SVT (1969 model) with Ampeg SVT-810E 8x10 cabinet	6.5
Died · clean	Clean · clean	Warwick Streamer Stage I (Moon Burst, 1991)	Ampeg SVT-2PRO head into Ampeg SVT-810E 8x10 cabinet	0
Down In a Hole · riff	Riff · clean	G&L Rampage	Marshall JCM900 (modded, studio recording, 1992 Dirt album era)	0
Down In a Hole · solo	Solo · clean	Gibson Les Paul Custom (or clone, likely black finish, as used by Jerry Cantrell in studio circa 1992)	Marshall JCM900 (modded, studio recording, 1992)	4
Fear the Voices · riff	Riff · distorted	G&L Rampage (Jerry Cantrell's main guitar, likely used on Dirt-era B-sides)	Bogner Ecstasy (primary amp for Dirt-era rhythm tones)	6.5
Fear the Voices · solo	Solo · distorted	G&L Rampage (Jerry Cantrell's main guitar on Dirt era studio recordings)	Marshall JCM800 2203 (modded by Bogner, as used on Dirt sessions)	7
God Am (Live) · riff	Riff · distorted	G&L Rampage (Jerry Cantrell signature, 1990s live rig)	Bogner Ecstasy 100B (primary live amp, 1990s era)	6.5
God Smack · riff	Riff · distorted	G&L Rampage (Jerry Cantrell signature, 1980s-early 1990s, likely used for 'God Smack' studio recording)	Bogner Fish Preamp into Marshall 1960B 4x12 cabinet with Celestion Greenbacks (studio recording setup, early 1990s)	6
Grind · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Custom	Peavey 5150 120-Watt Head	8
Grind · clean	Clean · clean	Warwick Streamer Stage I 5-string	Ampeg SVT-2PRO into Ampeg SVT-810E 8x10 cabinet	0
Grind · solo	Solo · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Custom	Peavey 5150 120-Watt Head	7.5
Head Creeps · riff	Riff · distorted	G&L Rampage (Jerry Cantrell's main guitar for mid-90s Alice In Chains studio work)	Bogner Fish preamp into Marshall power amp (studio), possibly Peavey 5150 or Soldano SLO-100 also used for layering	7.5
Hollow · riff	Riff · distorted	G&L Tribute Rampage Ivory	Bogner Fish Preamp into Marshall 1960B 4x12 cabinet with Celestion Greenbacks	7
I Can't Remember · riff	Riff · distorted	G&L Rampage (Jerry Cantrell's main guitar on Facelift era)	Bogner Fish Preamp into Marshall JCM800 power amp (studio, Facelift era); possibly layered with Soldano SLO-100	7.5
I Stay Away · riff	Riff · distorted	G&L Rampage	Bogner Fish Preamp into power amp (likely VHT or Marshall), possibly layered with Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier	6.5
I Stay Away · solo	Solo · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Custom (early 90s, likely black finish)	Marshall Super Lead 100/50-watt convertible (1988, 6L6 tubes, modded by Mike Moran) blended with Bogner Fish preamp/VHT amp/Marshall cab (for lows), Bogner Ecstasy (for mids), Rockman Pocket amp (for highs)	6.5
It Ain't Like That · clean	Clean · clean	Spector NS-2	Ampeg SVT-II head + Ampeg SVT-810E cabinet	0
It Ain't Like That · solo	Solo · distorted	G&L Rampage (Jerry Cantrell's main guitar on Facelift sessions)	Marshall JCM800 2203 (Bogner-modded, as used on Facelift)	7.5
It Ain't Like That (Live) · riff	Riff · distorted	G&L Rampage (Jerry Cantrell's main guitar for Facelift-era live performances)	Bogner Fish preamp into a Mesa/Boogie Strategy 400 power amp (as used live, Facelift era)	6.5
Junkhead · solo	Solo · distorted	G&L Rampage	Bogner Fish Preamp + Bogner Ecstasy + Scholz Rockman Headphone Amp (studio blend)	7.5
Lesson Learned · riff	Riff · distorted	G&L Rampage	Bogner Fish Preamp into Marshall 1960B 4x12 cabinet with Celestion Greenbacks	7
Love, Hate, Love · solo	Solo · distorted	G&L Rampage (Jerry Cantrell's main guitar on Facelift)	Bogner Fish preamp, Soldano SLO-100, Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier (blended in studio, per album sources)	7
Love, Hate, Love · solo	Solo · clean	G&L Rampage (likely 1980s/early 1990s, Jerry Cantrell's main guitar for Facelift era)	Bogner Fish Preamp into power amp (possibly Marshall or VHT), likely with additional layering from Soldano SLO-100 and/or Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier (per Dirt-era studio practices)	0
Love, Hate, Love · riff	Riff · distorted	G&L Rampage (Jerry Cantrell's main guitar on Facelift)	Marshall JCM800 (modified by Bogner, aka Bogner Fish preamp into Marshall power amp)	7
Love, Hate, Love · riff	Riff · clean	G&L Rampage (Jerry Cantrell's original, maple neck, single humbucker)	Bogner Fish preamp into a VHT Classic power amp (studio recording, 1990/1991, Facelift era)	4
Love, Hate, Love · distorted	Distorted · distorted	Rickenbacker 4001	Ampeg SVT (likely vintage, 1970s-80s model)	6.5
Man In the Box (Live) · distorted	Distorted · distorted	1980s Spector NS-2	Ampeg SVT (likely SVT-II or SVT-CL) with 8x10 cab	6.5
Man in TheBox · riff	Riff · distorted	G&L Rampage	Marshall JCM800 (Bogner-modded)	7
Never Fade · riff	Riff · distorted	G&L Rampage	Marshall JCM900 (modded), possibly layered with Bogner Fish Preamp and/or Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier	7
No Excuses · solo	Solo · distorted	G&L ASAT HH (likely with maple fretboard, as used by Cantrell on 'No Excuses')	Bogner Fish Preamp into Marshall 1960B 4x12 cabinet (Celestion Greenbacks), likely with Marshall or VHT power amp	6
No Excuses · riff	Riff · clean	G&L Rampage (Jerry Cantrell's main guitar for 'No Excuses' studio recording)	Bogner Ecstasy 100B (studio recording, 1993-94 era)	0
No Excuses · clean	Clean · clean	1990s Spector NS-2 (custom, likely with EMG PJ pickups)	Ampeg SVT (likely SVT-II or SVT-CL) with Ampeg 8x10 cab	0
Nutshell · solo	Solo · clean	Gibson Les Paul Studio	Marshall JCM800 2203 (Bogner-modded, studio recording)	3.5
Nutshell · clean	Clean · clean	Warwick Alien Fretless Bass	Ampeg SVT-2PRO into Ampeg SVT-810E cabinet	0
Nutshell (Live) · riff	Riff · clean	Guild JF55 acoustic-electric (live version, clean riff section)	Fender Twin Reverb (live, clean channel)	0
Nutshell (Live) · solo	Solo · clean	G&L Rampage (Jerry Cantrell signature, likely used live for Nutshell solo)	Bogner Fish Preamp into VHT Classic power amp (live rig, 1996-2000 era), likely into Marshall 4x12 cab	3.5
Nutshell (Unplugged) · clean	Clean · clean	Alvarez acoustic/electric bass	Ampeg SVT (’69 SVT head with 8×10 cabinet, possibly SVT‑2PRO)	0
Nutshell (Unplugged) · riff	Riff · clean	Guild JF55 Jumbo Acoustic	Direct to PA/mixing console (no amp, as per MTV Unplugged setup)	0
Phantom Limb · riff	Riff · clean	Gibson Les Paul Custom (likely Jerry Cantrell's main studio guitar for this era)	Friedman Marsha (Marshall-inspired high-end amp, used by Cantrell in studio and live for this album)	0
Phantom Limb · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Custom (likely Jerry Cantrell's main guitar for heavy riffing on this album)	Friedman Marsha (Marshall-style high-gain amp, used by Cantrell in this era)	7.5
Rain When I Die · riff	Riff · distorted	G&L Rampage (Jerry Cantrell's main guitar on Dirt)	Bogner Fish Preamp into VHT Classic power amp and Marshall 4x12 cabinet	7
Rain When I Die · clean	Clean · clean	Spector NS‑2 (likely with EMG pickups)	Ampeg SVT‑2PRO or vintage Ampeg SVT heads	0
Rooster · distorted	Distorted · distorted	Spector NS‑2 (likely PJ pickup configuration) or Warwick Streamer Stage I	Ampeg SVT‑2PRO heads into Ampeg 1×18" and SVT‑810E cabinets; plus Tech 21 SansAmp Bass Driver DI	7
Rooster · solo	Solo · distorted	G&L Rampage (Jerry Cantrell's main guitar on Dirt album, likely used for Rooster solo)	Bogner Ecstasy (primary studio amp for Dirt-era solos, as per multiple sources)	7
Rooster · riff	Riff · clean	G&L Rampage	Bogner Fish Preamp into power amp (likely VHT or Marshall power section)	0
Rooster · clean	Clean · clean	Spector NS-2	Ampeg SVT-II (likely through SVT-810E cab)	0
Rotten Apple · riff	Riff · distorted	G&L Rampage	Marshall JCM800 2203	6
Rotten Apple · clean	Clean · clean	1990s Spector NS-2 (Mike Inez's main bass for 'Jar of Flies')	Ampeg SVT (classic tube head, likely SVT-II or SVT-CL) with 8x10 cab	0
Rotten Apple · riff	Riff · clean	Gibson Les Paul Custom (early 1970s, black, likely stock pickups)	Marshall JCM800 (modded by Bogner, as used on Jar of Flies sessions)	3.5
Rotten Apple · solo	Solo · distorted	G&L Rampage	Bogner Fish preamp into VHT Classic power amp (likely), or Marshall JCM800 modded by Bogner	6
Rotten Apple · distorted	Distorted · distorted	Unknown	Ampeg SVT‑2PRO (Mike Inez’s main rig)	6.5
Sea Of Sorrow · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson Les Paul	Marshall JCM800	8
Sea Of Sorrow · solo	Solo · distorted	Fender American Professional II Stratocaster	Bogner Ecstasy 101B	7
Sludge Factory · distorted	Distorted · distorted	Spector NS-2 (likely Euro or USA model, 1990s era, Mike Inez signature not yet released)	Ampeg SVT (classic tube head, likely SVT-II or SVT-CL) with Ampeg 8x10 cab	6.5
Sludge Factory · riff	Riff · distorted	G&L Rampage	Bogner Fish preamp with VHT power amp	8
Sunshine · riff	Riff · distorted	G&L Rampage (Jerry Cantrell's main guitar for early Alice In Chains recordings)	Bogner Fish preamp into Soldano SLO100 and Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier (all blended in studio, as per album recording info)	5.5
Sunshine · clean	Clean · clean	Washburn B‑70RS (studio/live during Facelift era) or Kramer Ferrington Acoustic Bass (doubling) — exact model for 'Sunshine' unknown	Ampeg SVT2 (live/studio era) — exact model for 'Sunshine' unknown	0
Swing On This · solo	Solo · clean	G&L Rampage (Jerry Cantrell's main guitar during 'Jar of Flies' era, likely used on 'Swing On This')	Bogner Ecstasy 101B (studio amp for 'Jar of Flies' sessions, used for clean and dirty tones)	0
The One You Know · riff	Riff · distorted	G&L Rampage Jerry Cantrell Signature	Marshall JCM800 (Bogner-modded, studio recording)	7
We Die Young · solo	Solo · distorted	1985 G&L Rampage	Marshall JCM800 2203 (modified by Reinhold Bogner)	9
We Die Young · clean	Clean · clean	Spector NS-2	Ampeg SVT (likely SVT-II or SVT-CL, era-appropriate)	0
Whale & Wasp · solo	Solo · distorted	G&L Rampage	Peavey 5150 head	5
Whale & Wasp · riff	Riff · distorted	G&L Rampage	Marshall JCM800 (Bogner-modded, studio recording)	5
What the Hell Have I · riff	Riff · distorted	G&L Rampage (Jerry Cantrell signature, early 90s spec, Kahler tremolo, maple neck, single humbucker)	Bogner Ecstasy 100B (early 90s blue channel, likely EL34s)	7
When The Sun Rose Again · solo	Solo · distorted	G&L Rampage (Jerry Cantrell signature, likely used for solos on Black Gives Way to Blue era)	Bogner Shiva (primary for solos on Black Gives Way to Blue, as confirmed in interviews and rig rundowns of the era)	5.5
When The Sun Rose Again · riff	Riff · distorted	G&L Rampage (Jerry Cantrell signature, 1984 cream model, Kahler tremolo, single humbucker)	Bogner Shiva (likely, as used on 'Black Gives Way to Blue' era studio recordings)	6
Would? · riff	Riff · clean	Gibson Les Paul Studio	Bogner Fish preamp into power amp (likely VHT or Marshall power section, as used on 'Dirt' album sessions)	0

Alice In Chains songs on popular amps

Exact settings ToneAdapt players use for these songs on their own amps.

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Frequently asked questions

What amp did Alice In Chains use?

Across 49 researched songs, the amps that come up most are Peavey 5150 120-Watt Head (3 songs), Marshall JCM800 (Bogner-modded, studio recording) (2 songs), Bogner Fish Preamp into power amp (likely VHT or Marshall power section) (2 songs), Marshall JCM800 2203 (Bogner-modded, studio recording) (2 songs).

What guitar did Alice In Chains use?

Most often: G&L Rampage (19 songs), Gibson Les Paul Studio (6 songs), Spector NS-2 (3 songs), Gibson Les Paul Custom (3 songs).

How do I get Alice In Chains's tone on my amp?

Open any Alice In Chains song below to see the original gear and settings, then use ToneAdapt to adapt them to your own guitar, amp, pickups and pedals.