Tone Stack Calculator
Professional guitar amplifier tone stack calculator supporting 13 popular amp types. Visualize frequency response curves with interactive charts and optimize your sound with precision controls.
Select your amp type, adjust bass/mid/treble controls, and see the frequency response curve with 13 popular amplifier models including Fender, Marshall, Vox, and more.
Tone Controls
Frequency Response
Adjust the tone controls to see the frequency response
Understanding Tone Stacks
What is a Tone Stack?
A tone stack is the EQ section of a guitar amplifier that shapes the frequency response. It typically consists of bass, mid, and treble controls that interact with resistors and capacitors to boost or cut specific frequency ranges.
Popular Amplifier Types
- • Fender: Smooth, musical response
- • Marshall: Aggressive mids, great for rock
- • Vox: Bright and clean, ideal for clean tones
- • Mesa Boogie: Powerful lows and highs
- • Gibson: Warm and vintage character
- • Orange: British crunch with mid emphasis
- • Matchless: Clean headroom with clarity
- • Dr. Z: Airy and open sound
- • Soldano: SLO-100 style with mid boost
- • Bogner: German precision and clarity
- • Engl: Modern high gain response
- • Diezel: Extreme metal with scooped lows
- • Friedman: Clean and loud with brightness
Tone Control Tips
- • Bass: Too much can make your sound muddy
- • Mid: The most important control for clarity
- • Treble: Adds brightness and cut through the mix
- • Interaction: Controls affect each other, so adjust carefully
Why Use a Calculator?
Tone stacks have complex interactions between controls. This calculator helps you understand how your settings affect the overall frequency response, making it easier to dial in your perfect sound.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a tone stack calculator?
A tone stack calculator models the frequency response of guitar amplifier tone controls. It helps you understand how bass, mid, and treble settings interact to shape your sound.
How accurate is this calculator?
This calculator provides a simplified model of tone stack behavior. For precise measurements, use professional audio analysis tools or consult with amp technicians.
What makes each amplifier type unique?
Each amplifier type has distinct frequency response characteristics. For example, Fender amps are smooth and musical, Marshall amps emphasize aggressive mids for rock, Vox amps are bright and clean, while high-gain amps like Engl and Diezel boost midrange frequencies for metal tones.
Can I use this for any amplifier?
The calculator supports 13 popular amplifier types including Fender, Marshall, Vox, Mesa Boogie, Gibson, Orange, Matchless, Dr. Z, Soldano, Bogner, Engl, Diezel, and Friedman. Each has unique frequency response characteristics for accurate modeling.
How do tone controls interact?
Tone controls in a stack are not independent. Changing one control affects the others due to the circuit design. This calculator shows the net effect on frequency response.