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)
Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ ×7Marshall JMP 2203 ×3Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ head into Marshall 4x12 cabinet ×2Marshall JCM800 / Mesa Boogie ×2
Metallica's tuning & guitars
Tuning: Mostly E standard on the early thrash records (Ride the Lightning, Master of Puppets) for clarity and bite; Eb standard (a half-step down) is the live tuning for most of the catalog, with Drop D on some later tracks. Guitars: Kirk Hammett and James Hetfield’s ESP signature guitars with active EMG humbuckers.
Tune to match with our free tuning chart, then dial any tone below in on your own amp — GuitarToneAdapt handles the rest, free.
Mostly E standard on the early thrash records (Ride the Lightning, Master of Puppets) for clarity and bite; Eb standard (a half-step down) is the live tuning for most of the catalog, with Drop D on some later tracks. Kirk Hammett and James Hetfield’s ESP signature guitars with active EMG humbuckers.
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.