Tone library / Metallica / Fade to black

Fade to black amp settings — Cort Cm15r

The Metallica guitar tone for “Fade to black”, dialed in for a Cort Cm15r with a Cort Kx100. Iconic intro solo and heavy rhythm tone, Ride the Lightning (1984)

Original rig

Modified Marshall JCM800 2203, Ibanez TS9 / ProCo Rat boost, Gibson Flying V / Fernandes Strat clone with humbuckers

Saturated, biting mid-scooped early thrash crunch with singing lead sustain

Amp settings — Cort Cm15r

CHANNELOverdrive Channel (Channel button pressed in)

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	7
Bass	7
Treble	7
Reverb	4
Master	5

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Guitar

PICKUPneck TONE8 VOLUME10

Why these settings

The Cort CM15R faceplate has only Gain, Volume, Bass, Treble, and Reverb (no Middle or Presence controls, which are set to null). To capture the Ride the Lightning JCM800 bite on this 8-inch solid-state combo, Bass and Treble are set to 7 to naturally emulate the classic 'V-shape' mid scoop. The Cort KX100 high-output ceramic Powersound humbuckers push the preamp easily, so gain is kept at 7 to maintain articulation without harsh fizz.

PRO TIPSwitch to the neck pickup with the tone rolled down slightly to 8 for Kirk's intro solo to get that smooth, hollow, flute-like sustain, then flip to the bridge pickup at 10 for the heavy crunch riffs.

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These settings are for a Cort Cm15r. 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.