Tone library / Metalica / Am i evil

Am i evil amp settings — Marshall JVM410H

The Metalica guitar tone for “Am i evil”, dialed in for a Marshall JVM410H with a Ibanez RG550. Studio recording, Creeping Death B-side (1984, recorded during Ride the Lightning sessions)

Original rig

Marshall 100W JCM800 2203 / modified Super Lead, Ibanez Tube Screamer TS9 boost, Gibson Flying V / Jackson RR with EMG 81 bridge pickup

Aggressive mid-80s thrash crunch with tight palm-muted chug and cutting upper-mid bite
Amp settings — Marshall JVM410H
CHANNELOD1 (Orange mode)BOOSToff
GAIN 6 BASS 6 MID 6 TREBLE 7 PRESENCE 6 REVERB 0 MASTER 5
KnobSetting (0–10)
Gain6
Bass6
Mid6
Treble7
Presence6
Reverb0
Master5
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Guitar
PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10
Signal chain

01Tube Screamer (TS9)

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned; tightens the low-end cut for early 80s Metallica thrash

Drive 0 · Tone 6 · Level 8
Why these settings

The JVM410H OD1 Orange mode replicates the tight, modified JCM800/TS9 front-end drive from the 1984 sessions without needing external dirt. Because the RG550's passive V8 bridge pickup has slightly less compressed output than Kirk and James' active EMG 81s, keep the treble at 7 and presence at 6 for extra bite and articulation. Resonance at 7 compensates for the low-end punch of Metallica's doubled 4x12 cabs. If you later add a TS9 clone, run it into the Crunch Red mode with pedal drive at 0 and level pushed high.

PRO TIPAnchor your palm firmly against the bridge saddles and execute aggressive, all-downstroke palm muting on the open low E string to get the signature percussive thrash attack.

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These settings are for a Marshall JVM410H. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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