🎸 Artist tone guide

How to get Metallica's guitar tone

Metallica across 24 famous tones — mostly through Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+, Marshall JMP 2203, Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ head into Marshall 4x12 cabinet, Marshall JCM800 / Mesa Boogie, with humbuckers. Here is where to start, then adapt any of it to the guitar and amp you actually own.

Starting point (averaged): gain 6.5 · bass 6 · mid 4.5 · treble 7 · presence 6 (out of 10)
🎛️ Get Metallica's tones on YOUR rig — free →

Metallica's go-to amps

Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ ×7Marshall JMP 2203 ×3Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ head into Marshall 4x12 cabinet ×2Marshall JCM800 / Mesa Boogie ×2

24 famous Metallica tones

Master of Puppets
gain 9 · bass 6 · mid 3 · treble 7.5
Seek & Destroy
gain 8.5 · bass 7 · mid 2.5 · treble 8
One
gain 8.5 · bass 5.5 · mid 3.5 · treble 7
...And Justice for All
gain 8.5 · bass 6 · mid 3.5 · treble 7.5
Battery
gain 8.5 · bass 6 · mid 3.5 · treble 7.5
That Was Just Your Life
gain 8.5 · bass 6 · mid 4 · treble 7.5
Enter Sandman
gain 8 · bass 5.5 · mid 4.5 · treble 7
Creeping Death
gain 8 · bass 5.5 · mid 3 · treble 7
Fade to Black
gain 8 · bass 6.5 · mid 5 · treble 7.5
For Whom the Bell Tolls
gain 8 · bass 5 · mid 7 · treble 7
(Anesthesia)—Pulling Teeth
gain 8 · bass 4 · mid 8 · treble 7
The Four Horsemen
gain 8 · bass 7 · mid 2.5 · treble 8.5
Master of Puppets
gain 8 · bass 6 · mid 5 · treble 7
One
gain 8 · bass 6 · mid 5 · treble 7
Enter Sandman
gain 8 · bass 6 · mid 5 · treble 7
Ride the Lightning
gain 7.5 · bass 5.5 · mid 3.5 · treble 7.5
For Whom the Bell Tolls
gain 7.5 · bass 6 · mid 4.5 · treble 7
Sad but True
gain 7 · bass 6 · mid 5 · treble 6
Nothing Else Matters
gain 6.5 · bass 5.5 · mid 5.5 · treble 7.5
Orion
gain 4 · bass 6 · mid 6 · treble 6
Orion
gain 0 · bass 5 · mid 4 · treble 6
...And Justice for All
gain 0 · bass 5.5 · mid 3 · treble 7
Wherever I May Roam
gain 0 · bass 6 · mid 4 · treble 7
Until It Sleeps (Remastered)
gain 0 · bass 5.5 · mid 6 · treble 5.5

Metal amp settings

Metallica is a metal staple. See the best amp settings for metal — averaged EQ, go-to amps and a full how-to.

Similar artists

PanteraLINKIN PARKDeftonesAvenged SevenfoldSlipknotBlack SabbathMegadethOzzy Osbourne

How to get Metallica's tone — FAQ

What amp settings does Metallica use?

Averaged across 24 of their tones: gain 6.5, bass 6, mid 4.5, treble 7, presence 6 (out of 10). Adapt to your own amp.

What gear do I need to sound like Metallica?

They favour Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+, Marshall JMP 2203, Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ head into Marshall 4x12 cabinet, Marshall JCM800 / Mesa Boogie with humbuckers. You do not need the exact rig — GuitarToneAdapt re-dials their tones for the guitar and amp you already own, free.

How do I get Metallica's guitar tone?

Start with their go-to gear (Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+, Marshall JMP 2203, Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ head into Marshall 4x12 cabinet, Marshall JCM800 / Mesa Boogie and humbuckers) and a starting EQ of gain 6.5, bass 6, mid 4.5, treble 7, presence 6 (out of 10), then dial in any of the 24 songs below. GuitarToneAdapt adapts each one to the exact amp and guitar you own, free.

Can I get Metallica's tone on a different amp or guitar?

Yes. You do not need their exact rig — GuitarToneAdapt models how their gear shapes the sound and compensates for whatever amp, guitar and pedals you already have, free in the browser.

Settings are community-researched estimates. Adapt any to your gear at GuitarToneAdapt · amp settings · all 1,200+ tones.