Tone library / Metallica / For whom the bell tolls

For whom the bell tolls amp settings — Blackstar V3

The Metallica guitar tone for “For whom the bell tolls”, dialed in for a Blackstar V3 with a Ibanez grg121. Studio version, Ride the Lightning (1984) - Main heavy rhythm riff

Original rig

1984 Gibson Explorer (Dirty Fingers humbuckers) / 1974 Flying V -> Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer -> Marshall JCM800 2203 100W Head -> Marshall 1960B 4x12 Cab

Aggressive, mid-forward British crunch with tight low-end punch and biting high-mids

Amp settings — Blackstar V3

CHANNELOD1 (ISF set to 8.5 for British Marshall voicing)

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	7
Bass	6
Mid	7
Treble	7
Reverb	1
Master	6

Don’t have a Blackstar V3? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned (use to tighten bass and push high-mid bite)

Drive 1 · Tone 6 · Level 9

Why these settings

The Blackstar ID:Core V3 uses the OD1 voice with the ISF knob turned clockwise to 8.5 to nail the British Marshall JCM800 upper-mid grind. The IBZ-6 bridge humbuckers on your GRG121 have plenty of output, so gain at 7 provides thick saturation without getting muddy. Adding an external TS9 clone in front as a clean boost later will further tighten the low end and replicate Hetfield's signature percussive attack.

PRO TIPAnchor your palm firmly against the bridge saddles and execute strict, heavy downstrokes to capture the fast, percussive chug of the main riff.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Blackstar V3. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

Get ToneAdapt on Google Play

Find your amp

Browse

For whom the bell tolls on other ampsSAME SONG, YOUR AMP Metallica tonesALL SONGS Ibanez grg121 tonesSAME GUITAR Tone libraryEVERYTHING

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.