Tone library / Metallica / Fade to Black

Fade to Black amp settings — Positive Grid Spark MINI

The Metallica guitar tone for “Fade to Black”, dialed in for a Positive Grid Spark MINI with a Gibson Les Paul Studio. Studio version, Ride the Lightning (1984) — main heavy rhythm and outro lead tone

Original rig

Modified Marshall JCM800 2203 (José Arredondo mod), Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer, Gibson Flying V (Seymour Duncan Invader/PAF), Marshall 4x12 cab

Saturated, scooped thrash rhythm with aggressive bite and tight palm-muted low end

Amp settings — Positive Grid Spark MINI

CHANNELJM45 or Plexi model block (set to high gain)BRIGHToffBOOSToff

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	7
Bass	7
Mid	3
Treble	8
Reverb	2
Master	7

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Screamer (Onboard Spark Drive Block)

Engaged as clean boost to tighten low end and add pick attack

Drive 1 · Tone 7 · Level 8

Why these settings

The Spark MINI is a modeling unit, so the tone uses the British high-gain model boosted with the onboard Screamer block rather than an external pedal. Mids are pulled down to 3 to replicate the classic Ride the Lightning scoop while keeping treble high at 8 to preserve bite through the Spark MINI's small passive radiators. Clean acoustic intro: switch to the Black Duo amp model with chorus block engaged.

PRO TIPAnchor your palm directly across the bridge saddles and execute aggressive, precise downstrokes—the tight chunk of this era relies heavily on the pick striking hard right against the palm mute.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Positive Grid Spark MINI. 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.