Tone library / Metallica / Creeping death

Creeping death amp settings — Marshall mG50fx

The Metallica guitar tone for “Creeping death”, dialed in for a Marshall mG50fx with a Hamer Xt squier. 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 mG50fx
CHANNELOD-2BOOSToff
GAIN 7 BASS 8 MID 3 TREBLE 7 REVERB 0 MASTER 5
KnobSetting (0–10)
Gain7
Bass8
Mid3
Treble7
Reverb0
Master5
Don’t have a Marshall mG50fx? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →
Guitar
PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10
Signal chain

01Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned; tightens the low-end attack into the front of the amp

Drive 0 · Tone 7 · Level 9
Why these settings

The Marshall MG50FX's solid-state OD-2 channel supplies the primary saturation in place of the cranked, boosted JCM800. Setting the mid control to 3 dials in the signature Ride the Lightning scoop while keeping enough body to avoid sounding paper-thin on a 1x12 combo. If you add the recommended TS9 in the future, drop the amp gain down to 5 and use the pedal as a clean level boost to sharpen palm mutes.

PRO TIPAnchor your palm strictly over the bridge saddles to keep fast 16th-note downpicked chugs tight and percussive without choking out the low-end resonance.

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These settings are for a Marshall mG50fx. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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