hero of the day amp settings — Vox VT40X
The metallica guitar tone for “hero of the day”, dialed in for a Vox VT40X with a ESP LTD EC-256. Studio version, Load (1996) — recorded at Plant Studios, Sausalito, CA
Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier, ESP with EMG 81/60 pickups, clean-to-moderate-crunch tones throughout
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 4 |
| Bass | 5 |
| Mid | 7 |
| Treble | 6 |
| Presence | 5 |
| Reverb | 3 |
| Master | 6 |
01Valeton GP-180 Noise Gate
Light gate to keep clean sections pristine
02Valeton GP-180 Chorus
Subtle chorus on clean arpeggiated sections; bypass during crunch parts
03Valeton GP-180 Plate Reverb
Medium plate verb for studio ambience
The VT40X's US Hi Gain model approximates the Rectifier voicing but runs brighter and less compressed. Mids pushed to 7 (vs typical Rectifier scoop) because the Vox modeling lacks the Mesa's natural midrange density. Gain held at 4 because this song is NOT a high-gain track—it's Load-era melodic Metallica. Your EC-256's passive humbuckers are warmer than Hetfield's active EMGs, so treble stays at 6 rather than cutting further.
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These settings are for a Vox VT40X. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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