Brown Sound 78/79 Signature Collection

The explosive tones of two iconic albums

The Brown Sound 78/79 is the first in a limited series of three exceptional TONEX Signature Collections, diving deep into the legendary guitar tones that helped define modern rock. Using period-correct gear and an obsessive attention to detail, this collection features 50 Tone Models that capture the unmistakable sound of the rock icon’s first two groundbreaking albums.

Every decision behind the Brown Sound 78/79 was made to capture not just the gear, but also the attitude, the feel, and the raw sonic blueprint of a genre-defining moment in rock history. With a mix of confirmed and speculated setups, including alternate speakers such as the 4×12 combo cab loaded with two vintage JBL D120s and two 25W Greenbacks, these Tone Models deliver stunning accuracy and creative flexibility. Complete the experience with Sunset Sound Studio Reverb and recreate the tone that changed guitar forever.

Collection Overview

• 50 exceptional Tone Models for use across the entire TONEX ecosystem
• Captured using period spec studio gear, just like the original recordings
• Based on a ′68 Marshall® Super Lead modified to serial number #12301 specs
• Created using AI Machine Modeling™ technology with advanced training
• Models feature multiple 1960 Marshall cabs with different speakers
• Compatible with all TONEX software versions, including the free TONEX CS
• Details include running the signal through specific pedals and a Vega wireless
• Tone Models can easily be loaded to TONEX pedals for live performance

The amp: “The ONE”

At the heart of the Brown Sound 78/79 collection is “The ONE” — a meticulously crafted Marshall-style amp built from the ground up with the exact same spec as the infamous 1968 Super Lead serial number #12301, including crucial mods that capture the DNA of the early brown sound like no other amp model.

A big part of that sound comes from the Fat Cap mod, a custom tweak to the preamp’s second gain stage that increases low-frequency gain and creates that signature chewy midrange and hair on every note. Combined with a 50K mid pot (which shifts the EQ balance toward a more vocal, aggressive midrange), as found on the legendary #12301 Plexi, the amp punches with the exact presence and attitude heard on the earliest Brown Sound recordings

A 100K NFB (Negative Feedback Resistor) from a 4Ω tap was added to the amplifier to further refine the distortion characteristics, making the tone a little bigger and bolder, just like those early recordings.

Under the hood, Heyboer transformers (faithful recreations of the original Dagnall iron) deliver the correct dynamics and feel that only properly wound vintage-style transformers can. These aren’t just clones; they’re the backbone of the amp’s response and harmonic complexity.

Voltage controlled

TONEX’s advanced AI technology captures the true character of any amp as well as its organic feel and response to changes in voltage and bias. TONEX perfectly captures the saggier response and thicker gain produced when the voltage drops and tubes are starved for voltage.

The internal amp bias was maxed out and captured using several different Variac™ settings: 68, 89, and 78 volts. For the ′78 Tone Models, we used 78V and 89V and ran through all cab configurations, allowing you to hear and feel the various combinations of voltages and speakers.

We removed output tubes 4 and 5 to push things even further, breaking the traditional push/pull topology and producing an asymmetrical “pull-only” distortion, giving ′78 captures their signature bite, bloom, and angry edge. At 89 V, the amp tightens up with a little less gain, while 78 V makes the amp more spongy with a tad more gain, perfect for tapping and fiery leads.

For the ′79 captures, we used all 4 output tubes and set the Variac to 68 V amp, which gives you a meaner but slightly clearer sound heard throughout the album. You will notice the amp starts to breathe, but still delivers a natural amp compression that glues together legato notes.

Cabs: Built to shape the sound

Speaker choice was everything. We captured several classic and hybrid cab setups, each chosen for its unique role in crafting the tones of the era. Some combinations replicate known rigs, while others explore options players and experts speculate were used in-studio. Each cabinet was captured using a variety of voltages to provide a spectrum of feel (from tight and punchy to spongy and loose), tailoring the sag and compression like on the records.

Captured Cabinets

• Marshall 1960A loaded with Celestion G12M 25W Blackbacks (75 Hz)
• Marshall 1960A with Celestion G12EVH / Heritage 20W Greenbacks (75 Hz)
• Marshall 1960A with Celestion G12M 25W Greenbacks (75 Hz)
• Marshall 1960B “Peeled” combo cab loaded with two 25W Greenbacks (75 Hz) and two JBL D120 speakers

Studio Magic: Captured like an album

Every cab was miked with classic SM57s and run through a vintage-style analog console to capture the recorded vibe as authentically as possible. Each tone was sculpted like a real studio mix, and the results come frighteningly close to the album sound. Plug in a guitar with PAF-style pickups and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into Sunset Sound Studios circa ′78/′79. A few captures were created using a U67 placed further back to increase resonance and soften the top end, making them perfect for double tracking with brighter, more articulate tones.

For players who want a bit more edge, we’ve included alternate “Hot” Tone Models, created by driving the analog mic preamp harder to add extra gain and saturation, just like what you hear on many early recordings.

Signal chain: Secret sauce included

Beyond the amp and cab, the front-end signal was run through the exact vintage pedals used in the original recordings, even when bypassed, to retain their subtle but crucial tonal imprint.

Signal chain:

• Vega Wireless system (used on several ′79 captures)
• 1970s Maestro Echoplex EP-3
• 1977 MXR MX117 Flanger
• 70 feet of Belden 8410 & 8412 guitar cable (for realistic high-end rolloff and cable capacitance)
• Mid-′70s MXR MX101 Script Logo Phase 90

The Vega wireless touch

Several captures using the Vega Wireless system are included. Many players famously used it, even in the studio, for its slight compression and subtle tone thickening. This collection contains Tone Models with and without the Vega, allowing you to dial in either approach. The transmitter was captured with 3 gain levels, providing standard and 2 lower gain settings. This cleans up hotter pickups and adds more articulation to your sound.

Behind the collection

Jim Gaustad’s obsession with guitar sound began in the late ′70s, sparked by hearing Van Halen’s debut album. From gigging professionally at age 12 to touring nationally with original bands in the ′80s, Jim was always chasing the perfect sound, rebuilding amps on the road, modifying vintage Marshalls, and crafting custom pickups from spare parts. His relentless pursuit of authentic tone led to the formation of The G Men, a no-gimmick Van Halen tribute band known for replicating the original gear and sound. After Ed’s passing, Jim launched the Brown Sound Quest on YouTube, diving deep into vintage circuits, studio techniques, and signal chains to honor the sonic legacy that inspired it all.

Key amp specs include:

• Heyboer Transformers (Dagnall clones)
• 470K mixer resistors
• 6CA7 Output Tubes
• 500pF red tubular mixer bypass cap
• Sylvania 12AX7 Preamp Tubes
• Fat Cap mod: .68µF and 250µF on V2a
• 50K mid-pot
• Tone stack: 33k/560pF Lemco combo
• Split cathode on V1a (250µF/820Ω) and V1b (.68µF/820Ω)
• 100K NFB resistor from 4Ω tap
• All coupling caps: 0.022µF
• 0.1µF cap on presence control
• Bright channel coupling cap: 0.0022µF
• 0.022µF output couplers

Power filtering:

• [2] 100µF F&T (mains)
• [2] 32µF F&T (screens)
• [1] 100µF LCR (phase inverter)
• [1] Dual 33µF x 33µF F&T (preamp)

Explore A Universe of Tone

TONEX is a complete ecosystem of tone based on a powerful new AI Machine Modeling™ technology which lets you experience thousands of ultra-realistic Tone Models of amps and pedals today with the promise of unlimited new tones tomorrow.

Play, practice and record as a standalone plug-in inside your favorite DAW and live with TONEX Pedal . Or model the tone of any amp, cabinet, combo or pedal, all with a sonic accuracy that’s virtually indistinguishable from the real thing.

Instantly play up to 1,100+ Premium Tone Models already available plus browse, demo and download over 33K Tone Models available on ToneNET in TONEX. Easily add more Premium tones to your library with Tone Partner and signature collections.

From rare one-of-a-kind vintage amps to modern rigs, TONEX makes it affordable to own the most sought-after gear in the world.

System Requirements

TONEX for Mac/PC is a 64-bit application and requires a 64 bit CPU and Operating System.

Mac®

• Intel: Intel® Core™ i3 (Core i5 recommended for Modeler), macOS® 10.15 (macOS® 11 Big Sur required for Modeler), 4 GB of RAM, 6 GB of hard drive space
• Apple Silicon: Apple M1, macOS® 11, 4 GB of RAM, 6 GB of hard drive space. TONEX is a native Apple Silicon application.
• Supported Plug-in formats : Audio Units, VST 2, VST 3, AAX.

Windows®

• Intel: Intel® Core™ i3 or equivalent CPU (Core i5 recommended for Modeler), Windows® 10, 4 GB of RAM, 6 GB of hard drive space, NVIDIA GPU with Maxwell or newer architecture is recommended to reduce training times (eg. GeForce GT 750 or higher).
• Supported Plug-in formats (64-bit): VST 2, VST 3, AAX.

Important note: Internet connection is required to authorise the application and access ToneNET.