Enter Sandman amp settings — Marshall JCM900
The Metallica guitar tone for “Enter Sandman”, dialed in for a Marshall JCM900 with a Jackson JS22 Dinky. Studio album cut, Metallica (The Black Album, 1991) - Main rhythm riff
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 (1.2kHz mid-scoop), 4x12 cabs
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 8 |
| Bass | 8 |
| Mid | 3 |
| Treble | 7 |
| Presence | 6 |
| Reverb | 0 |
| Master | 5 |
The JCM900 is inherently mid-forward compared to Hetfield's heavily scooped Mesa Mark IIC++ blend, requiring a deep mid cut down to 3 and boosted bass to recreate the Black Album low-end thump. Your Jackson JS22 passive humbuckers lack the high-output compression of active EMG 81s, so the amp gain is pushed to 8 with treble raised to 7 to match that razor-sharp picking attack. Clean intro switch: flip to Channel A Clean with the guitar volume rolled back to 7.
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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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