Blackened amp settings — Spider IIV

The Metallica guitar tone for “Blackened”, dialed in for a Spider IIV with a Peavy Raptor. Studio version, ...And Justice for All (1988)

Original rig

Mesa Boogie Mark IIC+ head, Gibson Explorer/ESP with EMG 81 bridge pickup, no pedals on rhythm tracks

Tight, dry, scooped thrash rhythm with aggressive pick attack and compressed low-end

Amp settings — Spider IIV

CHANNELInsane or Metal (highest gain channel)

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

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE8 VOLUME10

Why these settings

The Spider IV's Insane/Metal channel approximates the Mark IIC+'s tight saturation but with looser low-end; bass is pulled to 6 (vs original ~7) to compensate for the Spider's flabbier voicing. Mid at 4 recreates the signature AJFA scoop. Your Raptor's passive single-coils are lower output than Hetfield's active EMGs, so gain stays at 7 to maintain saturation—an EMG-loaded guitar would run gain at 5-6.

PRO TIPPalm-mute directly over the bridge saddles with the heel of your hand, not further up the strings—this is where Hetfield gets that percussive 'chunk' that defines the AJFA attack.

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

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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.