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Disposable Heroes amp settings — Positive Grid Spark 2

The Metallica guitar tone for “Disposable Heroes”, dialed in for a Positive Grid Spark 2 with a ESP LTD KH-202 Kirk Hammett. Live performance, Live Shit: Binge & Purge (Mexico City 1993) / modern live rigs (Fractal Axe-Fx Mesa Mark IIC+ / Dual Rectifier profile)

Original rig

Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (and TriAxis / Dual Rectifier live blend) + Marshall 4x12 cab with Celestion V30s + ESP KH signature with active EMG 81 pickups

Aggressive, tight, scooped high-gain thrash rhythm with razor-sharp palm mutes and punchy low-end

Amp settings — Positive Grid Spark 2

CHANNELTreadplate (Dual Rectifier model)BRIGHToff

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	7
Bass	7
Mid	3
Treble	7
Reverb	1
Master	6

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Onboard Noise Gate

Essential onboard block to keep rapid staccato gallops dead-silent

Threshold 7 · Decay 3

02Onboard Tube Drive (Screamer block)

Used strictly as a clean front-end boost to tighten bass flub and sharpen pick attack

Drive 0 · Tone 6 · Level 8

Why these settings

The Spark 2 uses the Treadplate model for aggressive Mesa saturation; because the KH-202 has passive ESP-designed humbuckers rather than Kirk's active EMG 81s, the onboard overdrive block is engaged as a clean boost with Drive at 0 and Level pushed to add that signature active pickup tightness and bite. The classic 'V-curve' is dialed with Bass at 7, Treble at 7, and Mids pulled down to 3 to recreate the Mark IIC+ scooped thrash bark. Note that the Spark 2 faceplate has no physical presence knob, so upper-harmonic sizzle is adjusted via Treble. For the clean intro/interlude, switch the amp model to Black Duo with chorus enabled.

PRO TIPLock your picking wrist and use purely aggressive, disciplined downstrokes near the bridge saddles for the verse chugs; letting your palm drift forward over the pickup will turn the tight percussive attack into muddy mush.

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These settings are for a Positive Grid Spark 2. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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