Tone library / Metallica / For Whom the Bell Tolls

For Whom the Bell Tolls amp settings — marshall MG15R

The Metallica guitar tone for “For Whom the Bell Tolls”, dialed in for a marshall MG15R with a Jackson JS22 Dinky. Studio version, Ride the Lightning (1984)

Original rig

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

Tight, aggressive palm-muted thrash with mid-forward punch and controlled low end

Amp settings — marshall MG15R

CHANNELOD (Overdrive)

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

Don’t have a marshall MG15R? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Tube Screamer style overdrive (TS9 / TS808 clone)

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. This is critical for the tight, compressed attack Hetfield's tone has. A Boss SD-1 or Behringer TO800 ($25) gets you there. Run into amp input.

Drive 2 · Tone 6 · Level 8

Why these settings

The MG15R's OD channel is darker and fuzzier than a JCM800, so mid pushed +1 and bass dropped -1 from original to compensate for the muddier voicing. Without a Tube Screamer in front, you'll lack the pick attack definition and low-end tightness — the amp alone will sound woolly on palm mutes. The original was in E♭ Standard tuning.

PRO TIPLock your picking hand into strict all-downstrokes on the main riff, positioned just behind the bridge pickup — this is where Hetfield's percussive attack comes from. Angle the pick slightly so the edge hits the string first for maximum chunk.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a marshall MG15R. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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