Tone library / Metallica / Enter Sandman

Enter Sandman amp settings — Blackstar ID ID:Core 10 V4

The Metallica guitar tone for “Enter Sandman”, dialed in for a Blackstar ID ID:Core 10 V4 with a ibanez grx20jb. Studio version, Metallica (The Black Album, 1991) - Main rhythm riff

Original rig

ESP MX-250 (EMG 81 bridge) into Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC++ blended with Jose-modded Marshall JCM800, ADA MP-1, outboard API 550A/Aphex EQs, 4x12 cabs

Thick, punchy high-gain metal rhythm with aggressively scooped mids, tight low-end chug, and crisp top-end bite

Amp settings — Blackstar ID ID:Core 10 V4

CHANNELOD1 voice (Set ISF to 3 for American Mesa-style mid response)

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	8
Reverb	0
Master	6

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Why these settings

The Blackstar ID:Core 10 V4 uses a single EQ control (ISF) rather than traditional Bass/Middle/Treble knobs, so those individual bands are null. Setting ISF around 3 dials in the aggressive, American-voiced low-end thump and scooped-mid character of Hetfield's Mesa Mark IIC++. OD1 provides ample preamp saturation to match the EMG 81 output from the Ibanez GRX20's passive bridge humbucker.

PRO TIPAnchor your palm firmly against the bridge saddles and execute heavy downstrokes for all muted chugs to replicate Hetfield's percussive, machine-like attack.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Blackstar ID ID:Core 10 V4. 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.