Fade to black amp settings — Marshall Studio Vintage SV20H
The Metallica guitar tone for “Fade to black”, dialed in for a Marshall Studio Vintage SV20H with a Gibson Les Paul Special. Iconic intro solo and heavy rhythm tone, Ride the Lightning (1984)
Modified Marshall JCM800 2203, Ibanez TS9 / ProCo Rat boost, Gibson Flying V / Fernandes Strat clone with humbuckers
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 8 |
| Bass | 6 |
| Mid | 4 |
| Treble | 7 |
| Presence | 6 |
| Master | 7 |
01Ibanez Tube Screamer TS9
Used as a clean boost into the front of the SV20H to tighten the low end and add saturation
The SV20H captures classic Plexi roar, but Metallica's 1984 sound relies on a boosted, tighter preamp response than a stock non-master-volume Plexi provides on its own. Using the TS9 with high level and low drive cuts the flubby low-end before hitting the front end while pushing the SV20H into singing saturation. Heavy rhythm riff: switch to bridge pickup and drop mids slightly to 3 on the amp.
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These settings are for a Marshall Studio Vintage SV20H. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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