Fade to black amp settings — Boss Katana 50 gen 3
The Metallica guitar tone for “Fade to black”, dialed in for a Boss Katana 50 gen 3 with a Jackson JS32 Dinky. Studio version, Ride the Lightning (1984)
Gibson Flying V, Marshall JCM800 2203, Boss DS-1 (as boost), Dunlop Cry Baby wah (solo sections)
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 7 |
| Bass | 5 |
| Mid | 6 |
| Treble | 6 |
| Presence | 6 |
| Reverb | 1 |
01Boss DS-1 Distortion
RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. Used as a boost into the amp, not as primary distortion. Low Dist setting pushes the amp without adding fizz.
The Katana's Brown voice nails the JCM800 mid-forward bark. Original settings translated nearly 1:1 since Brown is Marshall-voiced. Rolled tone knob to 8 because the Jackson's humbuckers are brighter than the PAF-style pickups in Hetfield's Flying V. Without the DS-1, you can push gain to 8 and add 1 to presence for similar saturation.
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These settings are for a Boss Katana 50 gen 3. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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