Heavy Metal guitar tones

Researched amp settings for 12 heavy metal songs — then adapted to your gear.

Starting point for Heavy Metal tone: gain 7 · bass 5.5 · mid 6 · treble 6.5 · presence 5.5 (out of 10)

Most-used amps: Marshall (×4) · Laney (×3) · Marshall 1959 Super Lead (×2) · Marshall / Mesa (×1)

Related Metal styles

All MetalGlam MetalMetalcoreNu MetalPower MetalProgressive MetalThrash Metal
🎛️ Dial any of these in for YOUR rig — free →
Crazy Train — Ozzy OsbourneFlying High Again — Ozzy OsbourneHallowed Be Thy Name — Iron MaidenAnatolia — PentagramBir — PentagramPower Down — Alter BridgeChildren of the Grave — Black SabbathSweet Leaf — Black SabbathFairies Wear Boots — Black SabbathStill Counting — VolbeatBalls to the Wall — AcceptWheels of Steel — Saxon

Heavy Metal amp settings — FAQ

What are the best amp settings for heavy metal?

Averaged across 12 researched heavy metal tones: gain 7, bass 5.5, mid 6, treble 6.5, presence 5.5 (out of 10). Start there, then fine-tune by ear and adapt to the amp you actually own.

What amp is best for heavy metal?

The amps most used across these heavy metal tones are Marshall, Laney, Marshall 1959 Super Lead, Marshall / Mesa. You don’t need the exact amp — GuitarToneAdapt re-dials any heavy metal tone for the amp and guitar you already own, free in the browser.

How do I get a heavy metal guitar tone with the gear I have?

Start with gain 7, bass 5.5, mid 6, treble 6.5, presence 5.5 (out of 10), then let GuitarToneAdapt compensate for your specific amp, guitar and pedals so it sits like the record — free, no new gear.