Tone library / Metallica / Nothing Else Matters

Nothing Else Matters amp settings — Blackstar ID:Core 20 V3

The Metallica guitar tone for “Nothing Else Matters”, dialed in for a Blackstar ID:Core 20 V3 with a Jackson Pro Series Soloist. Studio version, Metallica (The Black Album, 1991) — iconic clean fingerpicked intro

Original rig

Roland JC-120 and Mesa Boogie Mark IIC+ clean channel, ESP Explorer with active EMG 60 in the neck, studio rack chorus/reverb

Pristine, warm, round clean tone with gentle presence and studio hall space

Amp settings — Blackstar ID:Core 20 V3

CHANNELClean Warm (Voice knob)BOOSToff

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	2
Reverb	6
Master	5

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Guitar

PICKUPneck TONE8 VOLUME9

Why these settings

The ID:Core 20 V3 lacks conventional Bass, Middle, and Treble knobs, utilizing a single ISF control instead—set the ISF to 4 (leaning American) to emulate the Roland JC-120 and Mesa clean response. Keep the amp on Clean Warm with low Gain to preserve total headroom without breakup from the Soloist's hot humbuckers. Dial the onboard Reverb to Hall mode at level 6 to recreate the spacious album atmosphere.

PRO TIPPluck the open strings and arpeggios using the pads of your bare fingers rather than a pick; the flesh softens the attack and produces the warm, round decay heard on Hetfield's original track.

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These settings are for a Blackstar ID:Core 20 V3. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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Blackstar ID:Core 20 V3 settingsALL SONGS FOR THIS AMP Nothing Else Matters on other ampsSAME SONG, YOUR AMP Metallica tonesALL SONGS Metallica on the Blackstar ID:Core 20 V3SAME ARTIST, SAME AMP Jackson Pro Series Soloist tonesSAME GUITAR Tone libraryEVERYTHING

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.