For Whom the Bell Tolls amp settings — Line 6 Spider III
The Metallica guitar tone for “For Whom the Bell Tolls”, dialed in for a Line 6 Spider III with a Fender Player Stratocaster. Studio version, Ride the Lightning (1984)
Marshall JCM800 2203, Gibson Flying V (bridge humbucker), Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer as clean boost
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 7 |
| Bass | 6 |
| Mid | 5 |
| Treble | 6 |
| Presence | 6 |
| Reverb | 0 |
| Master | 5 |
01Ibanez Tube Screamer (TS9) or clone
RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. This is critical for the Hetfield tone — the TS9 tightens the low-end and adds midrange focus. Without it, the Spider's Insane channel will be looser and fizzier. A Boss SD-1 or any TS-style clone works.
Your Strat's single-coil bridge pickup is brighter and lower-output than Hetfield's Flying V humbucker — I've dropped treble from the original's 7 to 6 and raised bass from 4 to 6 to compensate for the thinner low-end. The Spider III's Insane channel is the closest to a boosted JCM800; gain is pulled back to 7 (vs original 8) because the Spider's digital gain stacks harsher than tube saturation. Without a TS9 in front, the tone will lack the signature tightness — this pedal is essential, not optional.
Get this tone on your amp
These settings are for a Line 6 Spider III. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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