Am i evil amp settings — Marshall Mg50fx

The Metallica guitar tone for “Am i evil”, dialed in for a Marshall Mg50fx with a Ltd Snakebyte. Studio version, Kill 'Em All reissue / Garage Inc. (1984 recording)

Original rig

James Hetfield: Modified Marshall 100W head, Gibson Flying V with EMG 81s. Kirk Hammett: Mesa Boogie Mark IIC+ preamp, Marshall power amp, ESP with EMGs. Both through Marshall 4x12 cabs.

Tight, aggressive thrash rhythm with scooped mids, percussive low-end, and cutting high-gain attack

Amp settings — Marshall Mg50fx

CHANNELOD1 (Overdrive 1)

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	0
Bass	7
Mid	3
Treble	7
Presence	0
Reverb	0
Master	6

Don’t have a Marshall Mg50fx? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE8 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Boss MT-2 Metal Zone

This is your primary gain source. The MT-2's parametric mid EQ is key—set the frequency knob around 400-500Hz (4 on the dial) and scoop it slightly to nail that classic thrash character.

Level 7 · High 6 · Low 7 · Mid Freq 4 · Mid Level 3 · Dist 7

Why these settings

The MG50FX's solid-state overdrive cannot replicate the original's tube saturation and dynamic response, so the MT-2 becomes the entire gain engine—amp gain set to 0 to prevent muddy stacking. The original used scooped mids (Hetfield's famous 1.5 mid setting on Marks/Marshalls), replicated here through the MT-2's parametric mid cut. Your Snakebyte's EMG 81 matches the original pickup exactly, so no compensation needed there.

PRO TIPPalm-mute directly over the bridge saddles with the heel of your hand barely touching the strings—Hetfield's tight 'chunk' comes from extremely precise muting position, not just gain. Too far forward and you lose attack; too light and it blooms into mush.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Marshall Mg50fx. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

Get ToneAdapt on Google Play

More tones for the Marshall Mg50fx

WIthin the mindDeath Smells Like Teen SpiritNirvana onemetallica Master of puppetMetallica BrianstormArctic Monkeys Creeping deathMetallica

Find your amp

Browse

Marshall Mg50fx settingsALL SONGS FOR THIS AMP Am i evil on other ampsSAME SONG, YOUR AMP Metallica tonesALL SONGS Metallica on the Marshall Mg50fxSAME ARTIST, SAME AMP Ltd Snakebyte tonesSAME GUITAR Tone libraryEVERYTHING

Song, artist and gear names are used to identify the tone being matched; ToneAdapt is not affiliated with or endorsed by the artists or manufacturers mentioned. Settings are AI-generated starting points — trust your ears.