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 Jackson JS32 Dinky. 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 | 7 |
| Bass | 7 |
| Mid | 4 |
| Treble | 7 |
| Presence | 6 |
| Reverb | 0 |
| Master | 7 |
01TS Drive (TS9 Tube Screamer model)
In front of amp block as a tight clean boost to cut flub and add mid bite
02Delay (Digital Delay model)
Post-amp for the singing intro solo space; bypass for the dry thrash rhythm outro
03Hall Reverb model
Post-amp subtle studio room space
The Jackson JS32 high-output ceramic humbuckers push the Zoom G1X Four input hard, so the TS Drive gain is kept near zero to prevent harsh digital clipping while tightening the low end. The MS 800 amp model's mids are pulled down to 4 with treble and bass at 7 to recreate the aggressive scooped bite of early Metallica without losing lead sustain. For the acoustic intro section, switch to an empty clean patch or bypass the drive block and switch the Jackson to the middle/bridge position.
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These settings are for a Zoom G1X Four. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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