Enter sandman amp settings — Marshall Studio Vintage SV20H
The Metalica guitar tone for “Enter sandman”, dialed in for a Marshall Studio Vintage SV20H with a Fender American Professional II Stratocaster. Studio version, Metallica 'Black Album' (1991), main rhythm riff
ESP MX-220 with EMG 81 bridge pickup → Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ head → Marshall 4x12 cabinet
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 3 |
| Bass | 6 |
| Mid | 3 |
| Treble | 6 |
| Presence | 5 |
| Reverb | 0 |
| Master | 6 |
01Distortion (unspecified model)
This is your PRIMARY gain source. The SV20H is a Plexi-style amp without modern high-gain — it cannot achieve Hetfield's saturation alone. Set amp gain LOW (3) to keep it as a clean platform; let the pedal do the heavy lifting. If your distortion pedal is a DS-1 style, set Tone at 6. If it's a Rat or heavier pedal, Tone at 5.
The original uses active EMG 81s (hot, compressed, tight) into a Mesa Mark IIC+ (high-gain, mid-scooped voicing). Your Strat has single coils (brighter, lower output) and the SV20H is a Plexi clone (mid-forward, low-gain). The distortion pedal compensates for the gain deficit — amp gain stays at 3 to avoid stacking mud. Bass raised to 6 (vs Mesa's tighter voicing) to add body lost from single coils. Mids dropped to 3 to approximate the Mesa scoop. Treble at 6 (not higher) because Strat bridge pickup is already ice-picky.
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These settings are for a Marshall Studio Vintage SV20H. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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