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Enter Sandman amp settings — Fame FA-5L

The Metallica guitar tone for “Enter Sandman”, dialed in for a Fame FA-5L with a J&D Duke 20. Studio version, Black Album (1991)

Original rig

ESP MX-220 (EMG 81 bridge) → Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC++ (Lead channel) → Marshall 4x12 with V30s

Tight, scooped high-gain rhythm with percussive low-end punch and aggressive treble bite

Amp settings — Fame FA-5L

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	9
Bass	8
Mid	2
Treble	8
Reverb	0
Master	6

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Why these settings

The Fame FA-5L is a solid-state practice amp with a scooped voicing and no presence control. Pushed gain to 9 to compensate for the J&D's passive humbuckers versus Hetfield's hot EMG 81s (which run 2-3dB hotter). Bass raised to 8 because solid-state amps lack the natural low-end compression of the Mesa's tube power section. Mids cut hard to 2 to replicate the Mark IIC++'s signature mid-scoop (original was around 3-4 on the Mesa's more aggressive mid control). Treble at 8 matches the original's 6-7kHz bite.

PRO TIPPalm-mute with your picking hand directly over the bridge pickup to get Hetfield's percussive chug—muting further up the strings loses the tight attack that defines this riff. Keep pick attack consistent and downstroke-heavy.

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These settings are for a Fame FA-5L. 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.