For whom the bell tolls amp settings — Marshall Plexi 1959
The Metallica guitar tone for “For whom the bell tolls”, dialed in for a Marshall Plexi 1959 with a Fender Player Stratocaster. Studio version, Ride the Lightning (1984) - Main heavy rhythm riff
1984 Gibson Explorer (Dirty Fingers humbuckers) / 1974 Gibson Flying V -> Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer -> Marshall JCM800 2203 100W Head -> Marshall 1960B 4x12 Cab
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 9 |
| Bass | 6 |
| Mid | 7 |
| Treble | 5 |
| Presence | 6 |
| Reverb | 0 |
| Master | 7 |
01Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer
RECOMMENDED — not currently owned (use as clean boost into front input to tighten low-end and add saturation)
A cranked Plexi 1959 gives massive power-amp grit, so max out Channel 1 Volume to 9 to achieve the necessary saturation since you lack the original TS9 boost. To compensate for the thin, glassy nature of Strat single-coils compared to Hetfield's high-output Gibson Dirty Fingers humbuckers, tone down the treble and roll the guitar tone knob to 8 while pushing mids to 7 for body. If you add a TS9 later, set its drive to 1 and level to 9 to instantly tighten the palm-muted attack.
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These settings are for a Marshall Plexi 1959. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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