Enter Sandman amp settings — Marshall MG15R
The Metallica guitar tone for “Enter Sandman”, dialed in for a Marshall MG15R with a Epiphone SG Special. Studio version, Metallica (Black Album), 1991 — quad-tracked rhythm guitars
ESP MX-250 with EMG 81 bridge pickup → Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC++ (Lead channel, graphic EQ V-curve) → Mesa 4x12 with Celestion V30s. Outboard API 550A EQ for mid-scoop, Eventide H3000 for subtle stereo width.
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 8 |
| Bass | 6 |
| Mid | 2 |
| Treble | 8 |
| Presence | 0 |
| Reverb | 0 |
| Master | 5 |
01Boss MT-2 Metal Zone or similar high-gain distortion
RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. The MG15R's overdrive channel lacks the tight saturation and mid-scoop capability of the Mark IIC++. A Metal Zone or similar pedal with parametric mid control gets you closest to the scooped Black Album tone. Run into the CLEAN channel with amp gain at 0.
The MG15R is a solid-state practice amp with limited gain saturation and no parametric EQ — the Mark IIC++ is a high-gain tube head with a 5-band graphic EQ that creates the signature V-curve scoop. I've dropped mid to 2 (vs original's ~3-4 on Mesa because Marshall voicing is already mid-forward), pushed treble to 8 for cut, and raised bass to 6 for thump. Your Epiphone SG's passive humbuckers have lower output than Hetfield's active EMG 81s, so gain is pushed to 8. Without a mid-scoop pedal, you'll get a usable aggressive tone but not the polished Black Album definition.
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These settings are for a Marshall MG15R. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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