Ebter sandman amp settings — Blackstar HT20R MkII
The Metallica guitar tone for “Ebter sandman”, dialed in for a Blackstar HT20R MkII with a Eko Sg. Studio version, Metallica 'Black Album' (1991)
Mesa Boogie Mark IIC+/Rectifier, Gibson Les Paul with EMG pickups, no pedals for main rhythm tone — Bob Rock production with tight low-end and scooped mids
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 7 |
| Bass | 6 |
| Mid | 3 |
| Treble | 7 |
| Presence | 6 |
| Reverb | 0 |
| Master | 5 |
01Tube Screamer (TS9) or clone
RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. Used as a boost to tighten low-end and add mid presence, replicating how Metallica tightened their Mesa tone. With this pedal, drop amp gain to 5.
The Blackstar HT20R's OD2 channel with ISF pushed toward British gets you into high-gain Mesa territory. Mids scooped to 3 replicates the Black Album's signature 'V-curve' EQ. Your Eko SG's passive humbuckers are lower output than Hetfield's EMGs, so gain sits at 7 instead of the 5-6 he'd use — the Blackstar needs that extra push to achieve similar saturation and sustain.
Get this tone on your amp
These settings are for a Blackstar HT20R MkII. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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