Tone library / Metallica / Harvester of Sorrow

Harvester of Sorrow amp settings — Blackstar ID 30 TVP

The Metallica guitar tone for “Harvester of Sorrow”, dialed in for a Blackstar ID 30 TVP with a Ibanez GIO GRG170DX. Studio version, ...And Justice for All (1988)

Original rig

Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC++ (Lead channel), ESP MX-220 with EMG 81 (bridge), B&B/Aphex EQF-2 Parametric EQ in loop for extreme mid-scoop, Mesa Strategy 400 power amp, Marshall 1960B 4x12 cabs

Extreme mid-scooped thrash rhythm with tight low-end, searing highs, and aggressive pick attack

Amp settings — Blackstar ID 30 TVP

CHANNELOD2 (ISF fully counterclockwise/American)BOOSToff

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	8
Bass	4
Mid	2
Treble	7
Reverb	0
Master	7

Don’t have a Blackstar ID 30 TVP? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Why these settings

The AJFA tone is defined by the IIC++'s tight saturation plus an external parametric EQ cutting mids drastically. The Blackstar OD2 channel provides similar high-gain saturation. Set ISF fully CCW (American voicing) for tighter, more scooped response vs British warmth. Mid at 2 compensates for the Blackstar's inherently less-scooped EQ—the original ran mid at 0 with a dedicated parametric EQ carving 750Hz; without that outboard EQ, go as low as the amp allows while keeping definition. Your Ibanez humbuckers are lower output than EMGs, so gain 8 compensates.

PRO TIPHetfield's relentless downpicking is 60% of this tone—palm-mute tight against the bridge saddles, pick attack aggressive and consistent. Alternate picking will never sound like AJFA.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Blackstar ID 30 TVP. 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.