Tone library / Metallica / Fade to black

Fade to black amp settings — Line 6 Spider 2

The Metallica guitar tone for “Fade to black”, dialed in for a Line 6 Spider 2 with a Ibanez GIO GRG170DX. Studio version, Ride the Lightning (1984) — heavy distorted section, not the clean intro

Original rig

Gibson Flying V, Marshall JCM800 2203, Boss DS-1 as boost. Hetfield's pre-Mesa era — warmer and more mid-forward than later Metallica albums.

Crunchy mid-forward rhythm with aggressive bite, moderate gain by modern standards, 80s metal warmth

Amp settings — Line 6 Spider 2

CHANNELCrunchBOOSToff

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

Don’t have a Line 6 Spider 2? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE8 VOLUME10

Why these settings

Spider 2 Crunch channel approximates the JCM800's mid-forward bark. Gain set to 6 rather than 7 because Spider gain runs hot and the original tone is moderate crunch, not modern high-gain. Mid pushed to 6 to counter the Spider's natural scoop and match the warmer Ride the Lightning production. No presence knob on Spider 2.

PRO TIPPalm mute with the meat of your hand closer to the bridge for that tight 80s thrash chug — Hetfield's right-hand technique is half the tone. Tune down to Eb standard to match the recording.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Line 6 Spider 2. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

Get ToneAdapt on Google Play

More tones for the Line 6 Spider 2

Master Of PuppetsMetallica Ain't talkin bout loveVan Halen Deep infernoLandmvrks I Bet You Look Good on the DancefloorArctic Monkeys

Find your amp

Browse

Line 6 Spider 2 settingsALL SONGS FOR THIS AMP Fade to black on other ampsSAME SONG, YOUR AMP Metallica tonesALL SONGS Metallica on the Line 6 Spider 2SAME ARTIST, SAME AMP Ibanez GIO GRG170DX tonesSAME GUITAR Tone libraryEVERYTHING

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.