Tone library / Metallica / Am i Evil

Am i Evil amp settings — Marshall MG30CFX

The Metallica guitar tone for “Am i Evil”, dialed in for a Marshall MG30CFX with a Gibson Flying V. Studio version, Creeping Death EP (1984) / Kill 'Em All era (main rhythm riff)

Original rig

Jose-modded Marshall Super Lead Plexi 100W, ProCo RAT distortion, Gibson Flying V with EMG 81 active humbuckers, Marshall 1960A 4x12 cab

Bright, punchy mid-forward thrash crunch with aggressive kerrang bite
Amp settings — Marshall MG30CFX
CHANNELCleanBOOSToff
GAIN 2 BASS 6 MID 7 TREBLE 7 REVERB 1 MASTER 5
KnobSetting (0–10)
Gain2
Bass6
Mid7
Treble7
Reverb1
Master5
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Guitar
PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10
Signal chain

01Behringer HD300

In front of amp input — serves as primary high-gain thrash dirt source

Dist 6 · Tone 7 · Bottom 5 · Level 7
Why these settings

The Behringer HD300 provides the heavy early-Metallica distortion, so the MG30CFX is set to its clean channel with low gain (2) to prevent muddy double-gain stacking. The amp's mid control is pushed to 7 to replicate the aggressive, un-scooped Marshall upper-mid bark heard throughout the Kill 'Em All era. The MG30CFX faceplate lacks a dedicated presence knob, so presence is null and high-end cut is achieved via the treble control at 7.

PRO TIPAnchor your palm tight against the bridge saddles and execute strict, heavy downstrokes to get that precise, percussive early-thrash chug and string separation.

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These settings are for a Marshall MG30CFX. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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