Tone library / Metallica / Creeping Death

Creeping Death amp settings — Mesa Boogie Mark IV

The Metallica guitar tone for “Creeping Death”, dialed in for a Mesa Boogie Mark IV with a Squier Affinity Stratocaster. Studio version, Ride the Lightning (1984)

Original rig

Marshall JCM800 2203 (Jose Arredondo mod) or Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+, 1984 Gibson Explorer with bridge humbucker, no pedals

Tight, aggressive thrash rhythm with scooped mids, bright attack, and controlled low end

Amp settings — Mesa Boogie Mark IV

CHANNELLead (R2 - High Gain)BRIGHToffBOOSToff

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

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Noise Gate

Essential for tight palm mutes and eliminating hum between riffs

Threshold 4 · Decay 2

02TS808

Used as a clean boost to tighten low end and add pick attack—not for gain

Drive 0 · Tone 6 · Level 7

036 Band EQ

Scoop 800Hz for the classic thrash voicing, boost upper mids for cut

100Hz 4 · 200Hz 5 · 400Hz 4 · 800Hz 3 · 1.6kHz 6 · 3.2kHz 7

Why these settings

Your Mark IV is the direct descendant of the IIC+ Hetfield may have used—you're in the right ballpark. The Strat's single coils are lower output and brighter than Hetfield's Explorer humbuckers, so the TS808 at zero drive compensates by adding midrange focus and tightening the low end. I dropped treble from 8 to 7 and kept presence moderate to avoid ice-pick highs from the single coils.

PRO TIPDownpick every note of the main riff with your palm planted firmly near the bridge—Hetfield's tight, percussive attack is 50% of this tone. Angle your pick slightly so the edge hits first for that aggressive scrape.

Get this tone on your amp

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

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