Tone library / Metallica / Creeping death

Creeping death amp settings — Marshall MG15R

The Metallica guitar tone for “Creeping death”, dialed in for a Marshall MG15R with a Ibanez AZ22S1F. Studio version, Ride the Lightning (1984) — main rhythm riff

Original rig

Modified Marshall JCM800 2203, Ibanez TS9 / ProCo Rat boost, Gibson Flying V (Duncan Invader) / Jackson RR Custom (EMG 81)

Aggressive, scooped, high-gain thrash rhythm with sharp top-end bite and tight palm-muted low end

Amp settings — Marshall MG15R

CHANNELOverdrive (OD)

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	8
Bass	7
Mid	3
Treble	8
Reverb	1
Master	5

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned; tightens low-end chug and pushes the MG15 preamp

Drive 0 · Tone 7 · Level 9

Why these settings

The Marshall MG15R has a full 3-band EQ and spring reverb but no presence control. To capture the signature Ride the Lightning thrash crunch without external pedals, run the Overdrive channel with gain pushed to 8 and scoop the mids to 3 while keeping treble high at 8 for the cutting pick attack. Keep the 8-inch speaker controlled by capping bass at 7 to prevent low-end flub on fast palm mutes.

PRO TIPAnchor the edge of your picking palm firmly across the bridge saddles and execute aggressive, synchronized downstrokes close to the bridge for that razor-sharp 1984 thrash percussiveness.

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These settings are for a Marshall MG15R. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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