Tone library / Metallica / For whom the bell toll

For whom the bell toll amp settings — Marshall DSL40CR

The Metallica guitar tone for “For whom the bell toll”, dialed in for a Marshall DSL40CR with a Harley Benton PB-50. Studio version, Ride the Lightning (1984) - Intro lead bass riff

Original rig

Modified Rickenbacker 4001 (Seymour Duncan bridge / Gibson mudbucker) + Morley Power Wah Boost + EHX Big Muff + Mesa Boogie D-180

Aggressive, mid-pushed, fuzz-wah distorted bass lead with singing sustain
Amp settings — Marshall DSL40CR
CHANNELClassic Gain (Crunch mode)BOOSToff
GAIN 6 BASS 4 MID 8 TREBLE 6 PRESENCE 4 REVERB 0 MASTER 4
KnobSetting (0–10)
Gain6
Bass4
Mid8
Treble6
Presence4
Reverb0
Master4
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Guitar
PICKUPneck TONE10 VOLUME10
Signal chain

01Morley Power Wah Fuzz / Bass Wah

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned

Wah Level 7 · Fuzz Intensity 8

02Electro-Harmonix Bass Big Muff Pi

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned

Volume 7 · Tone 6 · Sustain 8
Why these settings

Running a bass into the DSL40CR guitar combo requires Classic Gain Crunch around 6 to recreate Cliff's saturated tube power-section grit without turning muddy. The PB-50 single-coil P-pickup needs boosted mids (8) and trimmed bass (4) on the Marshall EQ to mimic the upper-mid cut and snarl of his modified bridge/wah setup. Keep the amp speaker safe at moderate master volumes since guitar speakers cannot handle extreme low-end excursion. Clean verses: roll the guitar volume down to 6 or switch to Classic Gain Clean.

PRO TIPPluck aggressively with your index and middle fingers right over the pickup edge rather than near the neck, letting the strings lightly strike the frets for Cliff's signature percussive clack.

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These settings are for a Marshall DSL40CR. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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