Enter sandman amp settings — Marshall DSL40CR
The Metallica guitar tone for “Enter sandman”, dialed in for a Marshall DSL40CR with a Fender Player Telecaster. Studio version, Metallica (The Black Album, 1991)
ESP MX-250 with EMG 81 active humbuckers into Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC++ head (scooped 5-band graphic EQ) blended with Jose-modded Marshall JCM800 and Mesa 4x12 cabinets
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 6 |
| Bass | 7 |
| Mid | 2 |
| Treble | 7 |
| Presence | 5 |
| Reverb | 0 |
| Master | 4 |
01Boss SD-1 Super Overdrive
Used as a clean boost to tighten the Telecaster's low-end and add attack
The DSL40CR naturally pushes heavy midrange bark, so the mid control is pulled aggressively to 2 to replicate Hetfield's iconic Mesa graphic EQ V-curve scoop. Because a single-coil Telecaster is thinner and brighter than active EMG 81 humbuckers, the tone knob is pulled to 8, bass is pushed to 7, and the SD-1 is configured strictly as a clean boost (Drive 0, Level 8) to tighten palm-muted chugs without muddying the preamp. Keep resonance around 6 on the DSL power amp to restore the low-end thud of a 4x12 cab.
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These settings are for a Marshall DSL40CR. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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