Tone library / Metallica / Creeping Death

Creeping Death amp settings — Fender Mustang LT25

The Metallica guitar tone for “Creeping Death”, dialed in for a Fender Mustang LT25 with a ESP LTD EC-1000. Studio version, Ride the Lightning (1984) — James Hetfield rhythm track

Original rig

Marshall JCM800 2203 (Jose Arredondo-modded) or Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ into Marshall 4x12 — 1984 Gibson Explorer with stock bridge humbucker, quad-tracked, no pedals

Aggressive tight thrash rhythm with scooped mids, cutting high-end attack, and controlled low-end thump

Amp settings — Fender Mustang LT25

CHANNELMetal 2000 amp model

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

Don’t have a Fender Mustang LT25? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Why these settings

The Mustang LT25 lacks the preamp saturation depth of a modded JCM800 or Mark IIC+, so the Metal 2000 model gets closest to that tight thrash response. Gain at 7 prevents fizz on the digital platform while the EC-1000's active EMGs run hotter than Hetfield's passive Explorer — compensated by not pushing gain to 8-9. Mid scooped to 3 matches the original's thrash character; treble at 7 preserves the pick attack without ice-pick harshness through the small speaker.

PRO TIPPalm-mute directly over the bridge pickup pole pieces with the heel of your hand angled slightly toward the neck — this tightens the low E chug and adds the percussive 'chunk' that defines Hetfield's Ride the Lightning attack.

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These settings are for a Fender Mustang LT25. 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.