Tone library / Metallica / Fade to black

Fade to black amp settings — Blackstar ID:30TVP

The Metallica guitar tone for “Fade to black”, dialed in for a Blackstar ID:30TVP with a Ibanez GIO GRG170DX. Studio version, Ride the Lightning (1984)

Original rig

Gibson Flying V (Hetfield) / Gibson Explorer, Marshall JCM800 2203, Boss DS-1 as boost, wah pedal for solos

Tight, aggressive rhythm crunch with singing, warm lead tones on the solos

Amp settings — Blackstar ID:30TVP

CHANNELOD2 (Super Crunch voice)BOOSToff

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	7
Bass	4
Mid	6
Treble	6
Reverb	0
Master	7

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Why these settings

The Blackstar's ISF control is your secret weapon here—set it fully clockwise (British/Marshall voicing) to nail the JCM800's midrange bark. Your ID:30TVP lacks a dedicated presence knob, so push treble slightly and use the ISF to shape the upper-mid bite. The GRG170DX's Infinity R humbuckers are hotter than Hetfield's passive PAF-style Gibsons, so gain stays at 7 rather than the original's 8 to avoid mud.

PRO TIPFor the clean intro, switch to Clean Warm voice with ISF at noon; for Hammett's singing solo tone, flip to neck pickup and roll your tone knob to 6—this mimics his wah-in-up-position trick without owning a wah.

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These settings are for a Blackstar ID:30TVP. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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