Tone library / Metallica / Fade to black

Fade to black amp settings — Harley benton HB-10G

The Metallica guitar tone for “Fade to black”, dialed in for a Harley benton HB-10G with a Harley benton St-20. Studio version, Ride the Lightning (1984) — rhythm tone (Hetfield)

Original rig

Gibson Flying V → Boss DS-1 (boost) → Marshall JCM800 2203, tuned to E♭ Standard

Tight, aggressive 80s thrash crunch with scooped mids and razor treble bite

Amp settings — Harley benton HB-10G

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	8
Bass	4
Mid	4
Treble	7
Presence	0
Reverb	0
Master	5

Don’t have a Harley benton HB-10G? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE8 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Boss DS-1 Distortion

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. Used as a boost into the Marshall, not for heavy distortion. Essential for achieving the tight attack and cut. A DS-1 clone runs $30-40 and gets you 85% there.

Tone 6 · Level 7 · Dist 3

Why these settings

The HB-10G is a small solid-state practice amp with limited headroom and a boxy speaker — it cannot replicate JCM800 power tube saturation. I pushed gain to 8 (vs original's 7) because solid-state amps need more preamp gain to compensate for the lack of power amp breakup. Bass dropped from 5 to 4 because small speakers muddy up fast. Without the DS-1, you lose the tight pick attack that defines this tone — the amp alone will sound fuzzy rather than focused.

PRO TIPTune to E♭ Standard and use aggressive downpicking with your pick angled slightly — Hetfield's attack is percussive and consistent, which is half the tone. Palm mute closer to the bridge for tighter chugs.

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These settings are for a Harley benton HB-10G. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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