Tone library / Metallica / Creeping death

Creeping death amp settings — Marshall MG30FX MG30FX

The Metallica guitar tone for “Creeping death”, dialed in for a Marshall MG30FX MG30FX with a Fender Player Stratocaster. Studio version, Ride the Lightning (1984)

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 MG30FX MG30FX

CHANNELOD-2

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

Don’t have a Marshall MG30FX MG30FX? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE8 VOLUME10

Why these settings

The MG30FX lacks a physical presence knob, so top-end sizzle is shaped using the treble knob, dialed back slightly to 6 to keep the single-coil Strat bridge pickup from becoming excessively harsh. Lows are pushed to 7 to compensate for the single coil's leaner bottom end compared to the high-output humbuckers used on the recording, while the mids are scooped down to 3 on the high-gain OD-2 channel to capture the iconic early thrash bite.

PRO TIPLock your picking hand into strict downpicking near the bridge saddle and use heavy palm muting to achieve the percussive, mechanical chug essential to the main riff.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Marshall MG30FX MG30FX. 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.