Enter Sandman amp settings — Marshall JCM900
The Metallica guitar tone for “Enter Sandman”, dialed in for a Marshall JCM900 with a Gibson Kirk Hammett Les Paul Standard. Studio version, Metallica 'Black Album' (1991)
ESP MX-250 with EMG 81 bridge pickup → Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC++ head → Mesa 4x12 with Celestion V30s. API 550A outboard EQ for the characteristic mid-scoop.
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 8 |
| Bass | 7 |
| Mid | 3 |
| Treble | 6 |
| Presence | 5 |
| Reverb | 0 |
| Master | 6 |
The JCM900 is naturally more mid-forward than the Mesa Mark IIC++, so mids are dropped to 3 (vs the original's ~4.5) to achieve the scooped character. Treble is pulled back to 6 because the JCM900's presence region can get fizzy where the Mesa stays tight. Your Gibson KH with passive humbuckers has less output and compression than Hetfield's EMG 81, so gain is pushed to 8 to compensate—the JCM900's lead channel has enough saturation to get there without a pedal.
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These settings are for a Marshall JCM900. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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