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Enter Sandman amp settings — Marshall MG30CFX

The Metallica guitar tone for “Enter Sandman”, dialed in for a Marshall MG30CFX with a Sqoe Humbuck humbuck. Studio album cut, Metallica (The Black Album, 1991) - Main rhythm riff

Original rig

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

Thick, punchy high-gain metal rhythm with aggressively scooped mids, tight low-end chug, and crisp top-end bite

Amp settings — Marshall MG30CFX

CHANNELOD2

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	7
Bass	8
Mid	3
Treble	7
Reverb	1
Master	5

Don’t have a Marshall MG30CFX? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Why these settings

The MG30CFX uses the OD2 channel to deliver the saturated gain structure of Hetfield's Mesa/Marshall blend without needing external dirt pedals. Mids are pulled down to 3 to recreate the classic 'Black Album' V-curve scoop, while bass is pushed to 8 to give the 10-inch speaker sufficient low-end weight. Presence is physically absent on the MG30CFX panel, so treble is set to 7 to supply the necessary top-end cut and bite. Clean intro: switch to the Clean channel with onboard chorus enabled.

PRO TIPUse heavy, disciplined downpicking with the side of your palm locked firmly against the bridge saddle to keep the low E chugs tight and percussive without muddying the low frequencies.

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These settings are for a Marshall MG30CFX. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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