Tone library / metallica / fade to black

fade to black amp settings — Marshall JCM800 2203

The metallica guitar tone for “fade to black”, dialed in for a Marshall JCM800 2203 with a Ibanez RG550. Studio version, Ride the Lightning (1984)

Original rig

Marshall JCM800 2203, Gibson Flying V (bridge humbucker), Boss DS-1 as boost, wah pedal for leads

Tight, aggressive mid-scooped rhythm with bright cutting highs and controlled low end

Amp settings — Marshall JCM800 2203

CHANNELHigh Treble input

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	7
Bass	5
Mid	3
Treble	7
Presence	6
Reverb	0
Master	7

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE9 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Boss DS-1 Distortion

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. Used as a boost/tightener into the JCM800, not as primary distortion. Dist low, Level pushing the front end.

Tone 6 · Level 7 · Dist 3

Why these settings

You own the exact amp used on the recording—no voicing compensation needed. Your RG550's hotter ceramic humbuckers vs the Flying V's PAF-style pickups mean slightly more output and tighter low end; I dropped mid from 5 to 3 to maintain the scooped character and kept bass at 5 rather than pushing higher. Without the DS-1 boost, increase gain to 8 but expect a slightly looser, less focused attack.

PRO TIPHetfield's right-hand attack is the secret—aggressive downpicking with the pick angled slightly toward the bridge yields that percussive chunk. Palm mute lightly and let the JCM800's natural compression do the sustain work.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Marshall JCM800 2203. 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.