Tone library / Metallica / Fade to Black

Fade to Black amp settings — Zoom G1X Four

The Metallica guitar tone for “Fade to Black”, dialed in for a Zoom G1X Four with a Schecter Omen 6. Studio version, Ride the Lightning (1984) — rhythm/riff sections

Original rig

Gibson Flying V (bridge humbucker) → Boss DS-1 → Marshall JCM800 2203, tuned to E♭ Standard

Tight, aggressive mid-scooped thrash rhythm with chunky palm mutes and biting upper mids
Amp settings — Zoom G1X Four
CHANNELMS1959 amp model (Marshall JCM800 emulation) on drive channelBRIGHToffBOOSToff
GAIN 7 BASS 5 MID 3 TREBLE 7 REVERB 0 MASTER 7
KnobSetting (0–10)
Gain7
Bass5
Mid3
Treble7
Reverb0
Master7
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Guitar
PICKUPbridge TONE8 VOLUME10
Signal chain

01Ibanez Tube Screamer TS9

Used as a boost into the amp model — tightens low end and adds midrange cut, substituting for the original DS-1's role

Drive 2 · Tone 6 · Level 7

02Zoom G1X Four — Noise Gate (ZNR)

Essential for tight thrash palm mutes — place after drive, before amp

Threshold 4 · Decay 3
Why these settings

The Zoom G1X Four's MS1959 model emulates the JCM800's mid-forward bark. Your Schecter's humbuckers are hotter than Hetfield's passive Gibson V, so gain stays at 7 rather than pushing higher. Mid at 3 captures the scooped thrash sound; the TS9 in front with low drive tightens the flubby lows that modeling units often add. The G1X Four lacks a dedicated presence knob on most amp models — that brightness is baked into the treble control.

PRO TIPTune to E♭ Standard to match the recording. For authentic Hetfield chunk, anchor your palm mute right at the bridge saddles — too far forward and you lose the attack that defines this tone.

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