Tone library / Metallica / Nothing Else Matters

Nothing Else Matters amp settings — Fender Deluxe Reverb

The Metallica guitar tone for “Nothing Else Matters”, dialed in for a Fender Deluxe Reverb with a Fender American Professional II Stratocaster. 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 EMG 60 active humbucker (neck), studio rack reverb

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

Amp settings — Fender Deluxe Reverb

CHANNELVibrato channel (Input 2 for padded input)BRIGHToff

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	3
Bass	6
Treble	5
Reverb	4
Master	4

Don’t have a Fender Deluxe Reverb? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPneck TONE8 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Line 6 Helix LT (Hall Reverb Block)

Placed in front of the amp to replicate the lush studio rack plate/hall reverb

Decay 5 · Predelay 3 · Low Cut 2 · High Cut 6 · Mix 3

Why these settings

The original clean sound blends the warmth of an EMG 60 neck humbucker with pristine solid-state headroom, so the Deluxe Reverb volume is kept low at 3 to prevent tube breakup. Treble is dialed down to 5 and the Strat's tone knob is rolled back slightly to 8 to tame single-coil bite and match the darker, rounded humbucker response. The onboard spring reverb is paired with a subtle Helix hall reverb to simulate the wide studio ambiance. Distorted solo: step on the BD-2 (Level 6, Tone 5, Gain 7) and switch to the bridge pickup.

PRO TIPPluck the open strings directly over the middle pickup using the flesh of your fingertips rather than a pick or fingernails to capture James Hetfield's signature soft, percussive attack.

Get this tone on your amp

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

Get ToneAdapt on Google Play

More tones for the Fender Deluxe Reverb

ParanoidBlack Sabbath Night terrorDream theater MASTER OF PUPPETSMASTER OF PUPPETS Tunnel of LoveDire Straits No More TearsOzzy Osbourne MagbalikCallalily

Find your amp

Browse

Fender Deluxe Reverb settingsALL SONGS FOR THIS AMP Nothing Else Matters on other ampsSAME SONG, YOUR AMP Metallica tonesALL SONGS Metallica on the Fender Deluxe ReverbSAME ARTIST, SAME AMP Fender American Professional II Stratocaster 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.