Blackened amp settings — LINE 6 LOWDOWN STUDIO LD110
The Metallica guitar tone for “Blackened”, dialed in for a LINE 6 LOWDOWN STUDIO LD110 with a Ibanez GSR200 PW. Studio version, ...And Justice for All (1988)
Mesa Boogie Mark IIC+ head, ESP Explorer/Snakebyte with EMG 81 (bridge), Aphex parametric EQ in loop, Mesa Strategy 400 power amp, Marshall 1960A cabs with vented Celestion G12T-75 speakers
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 3 |
| Bass | 4 |
| Mid | 3 |
| Treble | 6 |
| Presence | 0 |
| Reverb | 0 |
| Master | 5 |
01Boss DS-1 Distortion
RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. Essential for thrash gain structure since the Lowdown is a bass amp with limited distortion voicing. A ProCo RAT or MXR Fullbore Metal would also work.
Critical limitation: the Line 6 Lowdown LD110 is a bass combo amp, not a guitar amp. It lacks the midrange voicing, preamp gain structure, and speaker response needed to replicate high-gain thrash guitar tones. The GSR200 is also a bass guitar with passive J/P pickups. You cannot authentically recreate this tone with this rig. Settings provided are the closest approximation: moderate gain to avoid flubby bass response, scooped mids to mimic the AJFA sound, boosted treble for attack definition. A distortion pedal is mandatory to provide the saturated gain character.
Get this tone on your amp
These settings are for a LINE 6 LOWDOWN STUDIO LD110. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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