Getting a convincing jazz tone in Neural DSP Plini + Dr Bonkers Polytone

**DanJazzJourney** · 08-23-2025, 02:22 AM

I’ve been chasing a convincing jazz tone in Neural DSP Plini X. I landed on two easy builds you can copy: a modern/clear “Bernstein-style” and a classic/smoky “Wes-style.” Short settings below, plus a clip with chapters.

Tone recipe (3 lines):

• Mids forward, top trimmed (LPF ~6.5–7 kHz), tiny mono room.
• Modern: built-in cab ? Ribbon main + a touch of Condenser (cap-edge).
• Classic: Dr Bonkers Polytone ? M160 core + C414 tucked ?6 to ?9 dB.

Guitar used (for reference)

Strandberg Salen Jazz NX 6 • MF “Classic” humbuckers • Neck pickup • Jazz III pick.
Video + chapters

0:59 Modern / “Bernstein” preset (built-in cab)
2:10 Classic / “Wes” preset (DB Polytone M160 + C414)

**Spook410** · 08-23-2025, 01:24 PM

Actually sounds really nice. Especially from a solid body. Makes you wonder how running a full on archtop through the set up would sound.

**DanJazzJourney** · 08-23-2025, 07:46 PM

Originally Posted by Spook410

Actually sounds really nice. Especially from a solid body. Makes you wonder how running a full on archtop through the set up would sound.

Agree, The Jazz Salen is a semi-hollow (or chambered) but has 24 frets and definitely not on par with an Archtop , The only other guitar I have is a fender strat, I would love to try it on an Archtop.