Tone library / Metallica / For Whom the Bell Tolls

For Whom the Bell Tolls amp settings — Fender sidekick Squier

The Metallica guitar tone for “For Whom the Bell Tolls”, dialed in for a Fender sidekick Squier with a Stratocaster Silvertone. Studio version, Ride the Lightning (1984)

Original rig

Gibson Flying V → Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer → Marshall JCM800 2203

Tight, aggressive palm-muted thrash with cutting high-mids and controlled low-end

Amp settings — Fender sidekick Squier

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	10
Bass	3
Mid	8
Treble	6
Presence	0
Reverb	0
Master	7

Don’t have a Fender sidekick Squier? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Tube Screamer (TS9) or clone

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. This is essential for the Metallica thrash tone. A Behringer TO800, Boss SD-1, or any TS-style clone will work. The pedal tightens the low-end and pushes the amp into saturation.

Drive 2 · Tone 6 · Level 8

Why these settings

The Fender Sidekick Squier is a solid-state practice amp with limited gain and a scooped, bright Fender voicing — the opposite of a JCM800's mid-forward bark. Gain is maxed because this amp cannot produce high-gain on its own. Mids are pushed to 8 to compensate for the Fender scoop; bass is cut to 3 to avoid flubby low-end that solid-state amps handle poorly. Without a Tube Screamer or similar overdrive pedal, you will not achieve the tight, saturated thrash tone — the amp simply lacks the gain structure. The tone will be thin and fizzy at best.

PRO TIPTune to E♭ Standard. Use strict downstroke picking locked just behind the bridge pickup for the galloping palm-muted sections — this is non-negotiable for Hetfield's attack. Mute aggressively with the heel of your picking hand right at the saddles for maximum chunk.

Get this tone on your amp

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

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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.