Blackened amp settings — Marshall Mg30fx

The Metallica guitar tone for “Blackened”, dialed in for a Marshall Mg30fx with a Esp ldt M-400. Studio version, ...And Justice for All (1988)

Original rig

Mesa Boogie Mark IIC+ with parametric EQ, ESP Explorer with EMG 81, Ibanez Tube Screamer TS-9 as boost

Tight, scooped thrash rhythm with aggressive pick attack and dry, focused midrange cut

Amp settings — Marshall Mg30fx

CHANNELOD1 or OD2 (high-gain channel)

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	7
Bass	6
Mid	3
Treble	7
Presence	4
Reverb	0
Master	5

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE8 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Joyo Extreme Metal

Use as primary gain source; set amp to clean channel with gain at 2-3 if the OD channel stacks too muddy

Level 6 · Low 5 · High 6 · Dist 7

Why these settings

The MG30FX has a scooped, fizzy high-gain voicing that lacks the Mark IIC+'s tight low-mid punch. I dropped mids to 3 to approximate the AJFA scoop but kept bass at 6 (not higher) to prevent flub—the MG's bass response is looser than a Mesa. Your ESP's active-style hot output from the M-400 helps compensate for the MG's weaker preamp. The Joyo Extreme adds the tight saturation the amp alone won't deliver.

PRO TIPPalm-mute directly over the bridge saddles, not further up the strings—Hetfield's AJFA attack is extremely tight and percussive. Pick hard and close to the bridge for that machine-gun chunk.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Marshall Mg30fx. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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