Tone library / Metallica / For whom the bell tolls

For whom the bell tolls amp settings — Marshall MG30CFX

The Metallica guitar tone for “For whom the bell tolls”, dialed in for a Marshall MG30CFX with a Jackson JS2 Concert Bass AH Satin Black. Studio version, Ride the Lightning (1984) — iconic distorted intro lead bass

Original rig

Modded Rickenbacker 4001 (Seymour Duncan J-bridge / Gibson mudbucker) -> Morley Power Wah Boost -> EHX Russian Big Muff -> Mesa Boogie D-180 tube head + Mesa 4x12 / 1x15 cabs

Aggressive, mid-forward fuzz lead bass with wah bite and singing sustain

Amp settings — Marshall MG30CFX

CHANNELOD-1

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	7
Bass	4
Mid	8
Treble	7
Reverb	0
Master	5

Don’t have a Marshall MG30CFX? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Electro-Harmonix Bass Big Muff Pi

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned

Volume 7 · Tone 6 · Sustain 8

02Morley Power Wah

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned (parked toe-down/cocked for lead intro filter bite)

Level 7

Why these settings

Because you own no external fuzz or wah pedals, the MG30CFX must provide the gain using its OD-1 channel pushed to 7 to approximate Cliff's heavy saturated lead. The mids are boosted to 8 and treble to 7 to deliver the aggressive upper-mid clank and cut through the guitar amp's compact speaker. If you add a Big Muff later, switch the MG30CFX to Clean with gain at 2 to let the pedal provide all the fuzz. Verse/chorus rhythm switch: tap the channel footswitch back to Clean for the backing bassline.

PRO TIPPlay with strong, aggressive index and middle finger attack directly over the bridge pickup rather than over the neck, digging in hard to get Cliff's signature percussive string snap.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Marshall MG30CFX. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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