Blackened amp settings — Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier

The Metallica guitar tone for “Blackened”, dialed in for a Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier with a Ibanez GIO GRG170DX. Studio version, ...And Justice for All (1988)

Original rig

Mesa Boogie Mark IIC+ head, ESP MX-220 (later Explorer-style guitars), Ibanez Tube Screamer TS-9 as boost, Marshall 4x12 cabs with Celestion G12T-75s

Tight, aggressive, scooped thrash rhythm with razor-sharp pick attack and minimal low-end bloom

Amp settings — Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier

CHANNELModern High Gain (Red channel, Modern voicing)BRIGHToffBOOSToff

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

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Why these settings

Your Dual Rectifier is a different beast than the Mark IIC+ — the Rectifier is naturally more scooped and has looser low-end, while the Mark IIC+ is tighter with more midrange bite. I've kept mids at 3 (which on the Rectifier is already scooped) and pulled bass to 4 to prevent the flub the Rectifier is prone to. Gain at 6 rather than higher because the Mark IIC+ achieved tightness through moderate gain plus a TS boost — your Rectifier has more gain on tap, so restraint keeps it defined. Your GIO's Infinity R humbuckers are hot but not as tight as EMGs; the treble at 7 compensates for slightly darker output.

PRO TIPThe Justice rhythm tone lives in the picking hand — Hetfield used extremely precise, hard downpicks with the pick angled slightly. Palm mute firmly right at the bridge saddles, not further back. The album was recorded bone-dry with zero reverb and minimal ambience; if your room has natural reverb, consider close-miking or using headphones to capture that dead, in-your-face attack.

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

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