Tone library / Metallica / For whom the bell tolls

For whom the bell tolls amp settings — Fender Champion 100

The Metallica guitar tone for “For whom the bell tolls”, dialed in for a Fender Champion 100 with a Krammer Nite V. Studio version, Ride the Lightning (1984) — main heavy rhythm guitar

Original rig

1984 Gibson Explorer (Dirty Fingers humbuckers) / 1974 Gibson Flying V -> Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer -> Marshall JCM800 2203 -> Marshall 1960B 4x12 (Celestion G12M-70)

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

Amp settings — Fender Champion 100

CHANNELChannel 2 (Voice: British 80s / 70s Metal)

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	8
Bass	6
Mid	6
Treble	7
Reverb	0
Master	5

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned; used to tighten the low-end and boost front-end attack

Drive 0 · Tone 6 · Level 9

Why these settings

Set Channel 2 on the Champion 100 to the 'British 80s' voice to replicate Hetfield's cranked JCM800 crunch directly from the amp. The Champion 100 has a 3-band EQ on Channel 2 (presence does not exist on this faceplate, so it is omitted); keep mids at 6 rather than scooping, as Ride the Lightning relies on cutting Marshall mid-bark. Adding an external TS-style overdrive with Drive at 0 and Level cranked will tighten the palm-muted chug even further.

PRO TIPStrict all-downstroke palm-muting right against the bridge saddles is essential to get the percussive, mechanical attack characteristic of early Metallica rhythm tracks.

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These settings are for a Fender Champion 100. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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