Tone library / Metallica / For Whom the Bell Tolls

For Whom the Bell Tolls amp settings — Laney Lx10

The Metallica guitar tone for “For Whom the Bell Tolls”, dialed in for a Laney Lx10 with a Ibanez GIO GRG170DX. Studio version, Ride the Lightning (1984) - Main heavy rhythm riff

Original rig

1984 Gibson Explorer (Dirty Fingers humbuckers) / 1974 Gibson Flying V -> Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer -> Marshall JCM800 2203 100W Head -> Marshall 1960B 4x12 Cab (Celestion G12M-70/V30)

Aggressive, mid-forward British crunch with tight low-end punch and biting high-mids
Amp settings — Laney Lx10
CHANNELCleanBOOSToff
GAIN 2 BASS 6 TREBLE 7 MASTER 5
KnobSetting (0–10)
Gain2
Bass6
Treble7
Master5
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Guitar
PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10
Signal chain

01ProCo Rat 2 / Overdrive-Distortion

RECOMMENDED — not owned (essential to achieve 80s thrash saturation on a 5-inch practice amp)

Distortion 6 · Filter 5 · Volume 7
Why these settings

The Laney LX10 is a compact 10W practice amp with a 5-inch speaker that only features Gain, Bass, and Treble controls (no mid, presence, or reverb). Its built-in drive switch becomes excessively fizzy and boxy at high gains, so the amp should be kept on the clean channel with low gain while relying on a recommended dirt pedal in front. Set Treble to 7 for thrash cut and Bass to 6 to prevent the small speaker from flubbing out on palm mutes.

PRO TIPAnchor your palm firmly against the bridge saddles and execute strict downpicking on the low E and chromatic walk-downs to capture James Hetfield's percussive attack.

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These settings are for a Laney Lx10. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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