Enter Sandman amp settings — Vox AC15C1
The Metallica guitar tone for “Enter Sandman”, dialed in for a Vox AC15C1 with a PRS SE Mark Holcomb. Studio version, Metallica (Black Album), 1991
Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC++ head, ESP MX-250 Explorer with EMG 81 bridge pickup, Mesa 4x12 with Celestion V30s
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 2 |
| Bass | 4 |
| Mid | 3 |
| Treble | 5 |
| Presence | 3 |
| Reverb | 0 |
| Master | 6 |
01Boss DS-2 Turbo Distortion
Mode II (Turbo) engaged for tighter, more aggressive gain structure. DS-2 is the primary gain source; amp stays clean.
The AC15 is a Class A amp with chiming mids and no high-gain channel — it cannot produce Mesa-style saturation alone. The DS-2 on Mode II provides the aggressive distortion; amp gain is dropped to 2 to keep the platform clean and prevent mud from stacking gain stages. Original tone is heavily mid-scooped; the AC15's natural mid-forward voicing is compensated by running amp mids at 3 and DS-2 Tone at 4. Your PRS Holcomb has Seymour Duncan Alpha/Omega humbuckers (high output, similar to EMGs), so no gain boost is needed — Dist at 8 is sufficient. Treble and presence are kept moderate because the AC15's top end is already bright and the Holcomb's pickups have extended highs.
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These settings are for a Vox AC15C1. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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