Entersandman amp settings — Marshall Code 50

The Metallica guitar tone for “Entersandman”, dialed in for a Marshall Code 50 with a Fender American Ultra Telecaster. Studio version, Metallica (The Black Album, 1991) - iconic main rhythm tone

Original rig

Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC++ & Mark IV heads blended with modified Marshall JCM800, ESP MX-220 with EMG 81/60 pickups

High-gain, tight, aggressively scooped 'V-curve' American thrash/metal rhythm with crisp top-end bite

Amp settings — Marshall Code 50

CHANNELAmerican Clean/OD preamp (or JVM OD) with 1960V Cab model, ISF/Resonance tightenedBRIGHToffBOOSToff

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	8
Bass	8
Mid	3
Treble	7
Presence	6
Reverb	2
Master	5

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE8 VOLUME10

Why these settings

Enter Sandman relies on thick Mesa/Boogie gain and EMG humbuckers. To compensate for the Telecaster's brighter, lower-output bridge pickup, the tone knob is rolled back to 8, bass is pushed to 8, and the mid-scoop on the Marshall Code 50 is kept slightly shallower at 3 to prevent thinness.

PRO TIPAnchor your palm tight against the bridge saddle and use strictly downstrokes for the iconic main riff to achieve James Hetfield's signature percussive chug.

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These settings are for a Marshall Code 50. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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More tones for the Marshall Code 50

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