
’59 Deluxe Gain Mod
The model '59 Deluxe Gain Mod It is based on an amplifier modified vintage tweed (1959 Fender Deluxe style), featuring:
- Early breakup (saturates easily)
- Warm, compressed and dynamic overdrive
- Very sensitive response to touch
- Pronounced midrange
The version Gain Mod offers:
- Greater amount of gain
- Sound more suitable for modern contexts
- Greater saturation than the original
Controls
Controls the distortion level of the preamp.
- Low → clean / light breakup
- Medium → vintage crunch
- High → saturated and compressed overdrive
Controls the level of the power amp.
Affects the dynamics and openness of the sound.
It does not directly change the amount of distortion
Control of the final volume of the amplifier.
- Negative values → attenuation 0 d
- B → neutral volume
- Positive values → boost Does not alter the timbre or saturation
Adjusts the low frequencies.
- High values → full but potentially “muddy” sound
Low values → more defined and controlled sound Recommended:
30–50%
Adjusts the mid frequencies.
- Low → hollow sound
- High → full and present sound Fundamental for the vintage character
Adjusts the high frequencies.
- Low → warm sound
- High → bright and aggressive sound
Be careful with high values with a lot of gain (can become harsh)
High frequency control in the power amp.
Adds definition and “air”.
Softer than the Treble
Activates a high frequency boost.
- ON → greater brilliance and attack
- OFF → softer sound
More noticeable at low Gain levels
Enable/disable the tremolo effect.
Controls the speed of the tremolo (in Hertz).
1 Hz = 1 pulse per second
Typical values:
- 0.5 – 1 Hz → slow and “swampy”
- 1 – 3 Hz → classic tremolo
- 3 – 6 Hz → fast and rhythmic
- 6 Hz → very fast effect / intense tremolo
Controls the intensity of the modulation.
- Low → light effect
- High → strong and pulsating effect
Synchronizes the tremolo speed to the tempo (BPM).
- ON → synchronized to the preset tempo
- OFF → free adjustment in Hz
Pro Tips
BEHAVIOR OF THE AMPLIFIER
- Gain + EQ influence the character of the distortion
- Bass high → softer and less defined sound
- Treble + Bright → significant increase in high frequencies
- Master Volume → influences the dynamic sensation
- Tremolo → it affects the final volume, not the timbre
- Gain → amount of distortion
- EQ → forms the character of the sound
- Master → dynamic response
- Output Level → final volume
- Tremolo → volume modulation
Setup Examples
DYNAMIC CLASSIC BLUES
TREMOLO (optional – vintage blues)
- Tremolo: Hon
- Speed: 1.5 – 2.2 Hz
- Depth: 25–40%
- Sync: OFF
Light effect, "breathes" under the sound without disturbing
BOOST (recommended in front of the amp)
USA S1 Drive to push the amp:
- Drive: 10–20%
- Level: 60–75%
- Tone: 50–60%
It is used for:
- more sustain
- more response to touch
- more musical breakup
HOW IT SOUNDS
- Clean → warm and round
- Strong pick → natural crunch
- Guitar volume lowered → becomes clean again
Super dynamic (traditional blues type)
- Pickup at handle → soft blues
- Pickup at bridge → more scratching
- Guitar volume:
- 6–7 → clean
- 8–10 → crunch
- Gain: 40–50%
- Middle: 70–85%
- Treble: 60–70%
- S1 Tone: 60–70%
More attack and presence (SRV style)
Quick summary
- Little gain on the amp
- Fairly high mids
- Bass controlled
- Light boost up front
The secret: dynamics, not distortion
GARY MOORE STYLE (BLUES LEAD)
Focus: high mids + medium-high gain
OVERDRIVE (fundamental)
USA S1 Drive in front of the amp:
- Drive: 20–35%
- Level: 70–85%
- Tone: 55–65%
This is the “secret”:
- drives the amp
- adds sustain
- makes the sound more “singing”
TREMOLO
OFF (Gary Moore doesn't use it for this type of sound)
HOW IT SOUNDS
- Sound big, warm, lots of sustain
- Notes that “sing”
- Strong response to vibrato
HOW TO PLAY IT (very important)
Pick-up:
- Neck → main sound
Guitar Tone:
- slightly closed (≈ 7–8)
Technique:
- wide vibrato
- expressive bending
- decisive attack
More aggressive variant (live / rock)
- Gain: 65–75%
- Presence: 65–75%
- S1 Level: 80–90%
More thrust, more “Marshall-like”
Common problems + fixes
- Sound too thin → increases Middle
- Sound too muddy → lower Bass + raise Presence
- Doesn't sustain enough → increases S1 Level, not Gain
Sound Formula Gary Moore
- High mids + pushing overdrive + neck pickup

