🎸 Artist tone guide

How to get Soundgarden's guitar tone

Soundgarden across 4 famous tones — mostly through Mesa/Boogie Trem-o-Verb + Electra Dyne, Mesa/Boogie / Marshall, with humbuckers. Here is where to start, then adapt any of it to the guitar and amp you actually own.

Starting point (averaged): gain 6.5 · bass 6 · mid 6 · treble 6 · presence 5.5 (out of 10)
🎛️ Get Soundgarden's tones on YOUR rig — free →

Soundgarden's go-to amps

Mesa/Boogie Trem-o-Verb + Electra Dyne ×3Mesa/Boogie / Marshall ×1

4 famous Soundgarden tones

Spoonman
gain 7 · bass 6 · mid 6 · treble 6
Outshined
gain 7 · bass 6.5 · mid 6 · treble 6
Rusty Cage
gain 7 · bass 6 · mid 6 · treble 6
Black Hole Sun
gain 4 · bass 6 · mid 5.5 · treble 6

Grunge amp settings

Soundgarden is a grunge staple. See the best amp settings for grunge — averaged EQ, go-to amps and a full how-to.

How to get Soundgarden's tone — FAQ

What amp settings does Soundgarden use?

Averaged across 4 of their tones: gain 6.5, bass 6, mid 6, treble 6, presence 5.5 (out of 10). Adapt to your own amp.

What gear do I need to sound like Soundgarden?

They favour Mesa/Boogie Trem-o-Verb + Electra Dyne, Mesa/Boogie / Marshall with humbuckers. You do not need the exact rig — GuitarToneAdapt re-dials their tones for the guitar and amp you already own, free.

How do I get Soundgarden's guitar tone?

Start with their go-to gear (Mesa/Boogie Trem-o-Verb + Electra Dyne, Mesa/Boogie / Marshall and humbuckers) and a starting EQ of gain 6.5, bass 6, mid 6, treble 6, presence 5.5 (out of 10), then dial in any of the 4 songs below. GuitarToneAdapt adapts each one to the exact amp and guitar you own, free.

Can I get Soundgarden's tone on a different amp or guitar?

Yes. You do not need their exact rig — GuitarToneAdapt models how their gear shapes the sound and compensates for whatever amp, guitar and pedals you already have, free in the browser.

Settings are community-researched estimates. Adapt any to your gear at GuitarToneAdapt · amp settings · tuning chart · all 1,200+ tones.