Harvester of sorrow amp settings — Fender Champion 20
The Metallica guitar tone for “Harvester of sorrow”, dialed in for a Fender Champion 20 with a Fender Player Stratocaster. Studio version, ...And Justice for All (1988)
Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC++ (Lead channel, gain 10, mids near 0), ESP MX-220 with EMG 81 bridge pickup, B&B/Aphex EQF-2 parametric EQ for extreme V-curve scoop, Marshall 1960B 4x12 cabs
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 10 |
| Bass | 7 |
| Mid | 2 |
| Treble | 7 |
| Presence | 0 |
| Reverb | 0 |
| Master | 6 |
01Boss DS-1 Distortion (RECOMMENDED — not currently owned)
RECOMMENDED — not owned. The Champion 20's solid-state gain cannot replicate Mark IIC++ saturation. A DS-1 or similar high-gain distortion pedal is essential for this tone. Run into clean amp (gain at 3 if using pedal).
The Champion 20 is a practice amp with limited gain and a Fender-voiced bright/scooped EQ — it cannot produce Mark IIC++ saturation on its own. I maxed gain and scooped mids to approximate the V-curve, but you need a high-gain distortion pedal to get anywhere close. Your Strat's single coils are lower output and brighter than Hetfield's EMG 81s, so I raised bass +4 and kept treble at 7 to compensate for the thinner low-end.
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These settings are for a Fender Champion 20. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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