Tone library / Metallica / For Whom the Bell Tolls

For Whom the Bell Tolls amp settings — Peavey MAX 100

The Metallica guitar tone for “For Whom the Bell Tolls”, dialed in for a Peavey MAX 100 with a Epiphone Les Paul Classic. Studio version, Ride the Lightning (1984) - Main heavy rhythm riff

Original rig

1984 Gibson Explorer (Dirty Fingers humbuckers) / 1974 Gibson Flying V -> Ibanez TS9 -> Marshall JCM800 2203 -> Marshall 1960B 4x12

Aggressive, mid-forward British crunch with tight low-end punch and biting high-mids

Amp settings — Peavey MAX 100

CHANNELOverdrive switch ON (TransTube distortion enabled)BRIGHToff

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

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01ProCo Rat 2 or Boss DS-1

RECOMMENDED — not owned (Bass amps have clean, full-range voicings, so a dedicated high-gain distortion pedal in front is the best way to get authentic thrash saturation)

Distortion 7 · Filter 5 · Volume 6

Why these settings

The Peavey MAX 100 is a bass combo amplifier, so its clean channel lacks the naturally compressed mid bark of a cranked Marshall JCM800. Engage the onboard Overdrive (TransTube circuit) with gain pushed to 8 and keep the Contour/Mid-Shift flat to retain the punchy 800Hz-1.5kHz rhythm bite. Adding an external high-gain distortion pedal in front is the true fix to replicate James Hetfield's aggressive saturation through a bass speaker.

PRO TIPAnchor your palm firmly against the bridge saddles and execute strict downpicking with a heavy 1.0mm+ plectrum to recreate the percussive, mechanical chug of the Ride the Lightning rhythm tracks.

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These settings are for a Peavey MAX 100. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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