How can I recreate the My Own Worst Enemy tone on my own amp?

Start from the reported guitar, pickup, gain character, effects and signal-chain order, then translate that target to your own equipment. ToneTwin models the controls for the amp and pedals you actually choose.

My Own Worst Enemy

Q: What gear was used for the My Own Worst Enemy guitar tone?

The available research points to Fender Custom Shop Telecaster into Marshall JMP 50W. See the full signal chain and individual evidence notes on this page.

Q: What tuning is My Own Worst Enemy in?

The research record lists the tuning as Standard. Check the cited evidence and correction note if the recording has competing published accounts.

Lit

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Tuned to the exact gear you own

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The recording

For "My Own Worst Enemy" guitarist Jeremy Popoff recorded the main riff and rhythm parts using a Les Paul‑style guitar split through a Morley ABY switch into a 50‑watt Marshall JMP and a vintage early‑70s Marshall Super Bass head, which were blended and routed to two Carvin Legacy 4×12 cabinets. The bridge pickup was set to full and the tone knob was left high to retain brightness, while the amps were dialed for a tight mid‑range crunch that drives the track. This combination yields the bright, aggressive tone heard throughout the song. (Sources 1,2)

Tuning E Standard

Signal chain

Reported gear

1970s Gibson Les Paul

Guitar

Popoff recorded the rhythm parts with a late‑1970s Gibson Les Paul, a staple of his 1990s live and studio rigs.

Morley ABY Switch (M‑200)

ABY Switch

Popoff used a Morley ABY switch to split his guitar into two separate Marshall amps, allowing him to blend the JMP and Super Bass tones live and in the studio.

Marshall JMP 50‑watt (late 1970s)

Amp

During the "My Own Worst Enemy" sessions Popoff split his signal into a 50‑watt Marshall JMP, delivering the tight mids that define the track’s crunchy rhythm tone.

Early‑70s Marshall Super Bass (50‑watt)

Amp

Popoff also ran the signal through a vintage early‑70s Marshall Super Bass head, adding thick low‑end that blends with the JMP for a fuller sound.

Carvin Legacy 4x12 Cabinet

Cabinet

The combined amp signals were routed into two Carvin Legacy 4×12 cabinets, giving the track its massive, punchy projection.

Alternatives

Epiphone Les Paul Standard

Budget alternative · for the 1970s Gibson Les Paul

$500 to $700

Marshall JCM 900

Modern equivalent · for the Early‑70s Marshall Super Bass (50‑watt)

$1,800 to $2,200

Mooer ABY Switch

Budget alternative · for the Morley ABY Switch (M‑200)

$30 to $50

Mesa Boogie 4x12 Standard Cabinet

Modern equivalent · for the Carvin Legacy 4x12 Cabinet

$1,200 to $1,500

Marshall JVM 50

Modern equivalent · for the Marshall JMP 50‑watt (late 1970s)

$1,200 to $1,400

Practical playing approach

Recreation guidance, not a claim about undocumented studio control positions.

1.Set the guitar pickup selector to bridge and crank the volume knob to full for maximum output
2.Attack the opening riff with tight alternate picking and palm‑mute the downbeats for punch
3.If possible, blend a JMP and a Super Bass amp or use a high‑gain amp with strong low‑end to emulate the tone
4.Keep the guitar tone knob high (7‑10) to retain the bright edge of the riff

Sources

Seymour Duncan Jeremy Popoff of Lit - Seymour Duncan Tone Settings for My Own Worst Enemy by Lit (guitar and amp) - Guitar Chalk My Own Worst Enemy Guitar Lesson – Lit Anatomy of a song: Guitarist of Lit talks about 'My Own Worst Enemy'Jeremy Popoff – Vintage Guitar® magazine

Frequently asked questions

What gear was used for the My Own Worst Enemy guitar tone?

The available research points to 1970s Gibson Les Paul into Marshall JMP 50‑watt (late 1970s). The full reported signal chain and evidence links are listed on this page.

Are the original My Own Worst Enemy amp settings documented?

Exact historical knob positions are not reliably documented for most recordings. ToneTwin does not publish generated values as studio fact; it creates playable settings only for the amp and pedals a player selects.

What tuning is My Own Worst Enemy in?

The current research record lists E Standard. ToneTwin keeps corrections open when reliable accounts disagree.

How do I recreate the My Own Worst Enemy tone on my own gear?

Use the reported pickup, gain character, effects and signal-chain order as the target, then translate that target to your equipment. The matcher models controls for your selected rig rather than copying undocumented studio numbers.

Researched and reviewed by the ToneTwin Research Team.