Tone library / Metallica / Enter sandman

Enter sandman amp settings — Yamaha Hr

The Metallica guitar tone for “Enter sandman”, dialed in for a Yamaha Hr with a Fender Player Stratocaster. Studio version, Metallica 'Black Album' (1991), James Hetfield rhythm tone

Original rig

ESP MX-220/250 with EMG 81 bridge pickup → Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC++ → Mesa 4x12 with Celestion V30s, processed through API 550A EQ for mid-scoop

Massive, tight, percussive rhythm with signature scooped mids, aggressive palm-mute definition, polished high-gain metal

Amp settings — Yamaha Hr

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	8
Bass	7
Mid	2
Treble	7
Presence	5
Reverb	0
Master	6

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

Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE7 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01High-Gain Distortion (RECOMMENDED — e.g. Boss MT-2 Metal Zone or MXR M116 Fullbore Metal)

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. The Yamaha HR lacks the high-gain saturation of a Mesa Mark IIC++. A dedicated metal distortion pedal is essential to get the tight, aggressive gain structure. Set amp gain to 3-4 and let the pedal do the heavy lifting. Without this pedal, the tone will be thin and lack the crushing low-end thump.

Level 7 · Low 7 · Mid 2 · High 6 · Dist 8

Why these settings

Your Strat's single-coil bridge pickup is significantly lower output and brighter than Hetfield's EMG 81 humbucker. Compensate by boosting bass +2 from the original setting and rolling tone knob to 7 to tame the ice-pick highs. The Yamaha HR is a practice amp without the preamp gain structure of a Mesa — you NEED a high-gain distortion pedal to achieve this tone. Without one, push amp gain to max but expect a thinner, less defined result.

PRO TIPHetfield's tone lives in the picking hand: aggressive, consistent downstrokes with the pick angled slightly and palm muting just behind the bridge saddles. The tightness comes from muting technique, not just EQ — sloppy muting will turn this tone to mud regardless of settings.

Get this tone on your amp

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

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Song, artist and gear names are used to identify the tone being matched; ToneAdapt is not affiliated with or endorsed by the artists or manufacturers mentioned. Settings are AI-generated starting points — trust your ears.