Tone library / Metallica / Fade to Black

Fade to Black amp settings — Laney TF-320

The Metallica guitar tone for “Fade to Black”, dialed in for a Laney TF-320 with a Epiphone Les Paul Standard 50s. Studio version, Ride the Lightning (1984)

Original rig

Gibson Flying V + Marshall JCM800 2203 (high-treble input) + Boss DS-1, tuned to E♭ standard

Warm mid-forward crunch with Marshall bite, moderate gain

Amp settings — Laney TF-320

CHANNELOverdriveBRIGHToffBOOSToff

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	6
Bass	6
Mid	6
Treble	6
Presence	6
Reverb	1
Master	6

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Why these settings

Laney TF-320 is voiced closer to Marshall than Fender—its Overdrive channel has similar mid-forward bark. The original JCM800 ran gain-7 with a DS-1 boost; your Laney at gain-6 on Overdrive approximates that stacked saturation without needing the pedal. Les Paul humbuckers are warmer and higher-output than Hetfield's Flying V—gain dropped -1 to prevent mush, treble/presence held at 6 to preserve cut without fizz. Ride the Lightning has more mids and less scoop than later Metallica albums.

PRO TIPTune to E♭ standard (down half-step) to match the original recording—the slightly slackened string tension contributes to the sag and warmth. For the solo section, roll to neck pickup and back off tone knob to 7 for Kirk's warm lead voice.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Laney TF-320. 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.