Tone library / Metallica / Creeping Death

Creeping Death amp settings — Cool Music Unique - 50

The Metallica guitar tone for “Creeping Death”, dialed in for a Cool Music Unique - 50 with a Jackson JS32 Dinky. Studio version, Ride the Lightning (1984)

Original rig

1984 Gibson Explorer (white) or ESP MX220 with EMG 81 → Marshall JCM800 2203 (Jose Arredondo modded) or Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ → Marshall 4x12 cab. No pedals on rhythm track. Quad-tracked, dry.

Aggressive, tight palm-muted thrash rhythm with scooped mids, sharp pick attack, and saturated but defined distortion

Amp settings — Cool Music Unique - 50

CHANNELHigh Gain / Distortion channel (if available)BRIGHToffBOOSToff

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	8
Bass	5
Mid	3
Treble	7
Reverb	0
Master	6

Don’t have a Cool Music Unique - 50? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Why these settings

The Cool Music Unique-50 is an unrecognized budget solid-state amp, so knob names may differ on your faceplate. The original JCM800/Mark IIC+ tone is mid-scooped thrash with tight low-end and cutting highs. I kept mids low (3) and treble high (7) to replicate the scoop. Your Jackson JS32 has high-output humbuckers similar to the EMG 81s used, so no gain compensation needed. If your amp lacks a high-gain channel, max gain and consider a distortion pedal like a Boss DS-1 or MT-2 to reach proper thrash saturation.

PRO TIPPalm mute hard directly over the bridge saddles, not further up the strings—this gives the tight, percussive 'chug' that defines the Creeping Death riff. Downpick every note; no alternate picking on the main riff.

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These settings are for a Cool Music Unique - 50. 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.