Tone library / Metallica / For Whom the Bell Tolls

For Whom the Bell Tolls amp settings — Marshall MG15FX 15watt transistor

The Metallica guitar tone for “For Whom the Bell Tolls”, dialed in for a Marshall MG15FX 15watt transistor with a Harley Benton victory plus bk Vintage seiries. Studio version, Ride the Lightning (1984)

Original rig

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

Aggressive mid-scooped thrash with tight palm-muted lows and biting high-end

Amp settings — Marshall MG15FX 15watt transistor

CHANNELOD1 or OD2 (Overdrive channel)

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	8
Bass	5
Mid	3
Treble	7
Reverb	0
Master	6

Don’t have a Marshall MG15FX 15watt transistor? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Ibanez Tube Screamer (TS9) or clone

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. This is critical for the tight, focused low-end on this track. A Behringer TO800 or Joyo Vintage Overdrive gets you 85% there for under $30. Run into the front of the amp.

Drive 2 · Tone 6 · Level 8

Why these settings

The MG15FX is a solid-state Marshall voiced brighter and thinner than the original JCM800 tube amp. I dropped bass from the original's 6 to 5 to prevent flabbiness on the smaller speaker, and kept mids scooped at 3 as Hetfield intended. Without the TS9 boost, you'll lack the low-end tightness that defines this tone — the amp's gain alone will sound looser and fuzzier. The song is in E♭ standard tuning, so detune all strings a half-step.

PRO TIPLock your picking hand into a strict downstroke gallop anchored just behind the bridge pickup — Hetfield never alternates on the main riff. Dig in hard with the pick angled slightly for attack. The percussive palm-mute thump is 50% of this tone.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Marshall MG15FX 15watt transistor. 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.