Tone library / Metallica / Nothing Else Matters

Nothing Else Matters amp settings — Fender squire Sp.10

The Metallica guitar tone for “Nothing Else Matters”, dialed in for a Fender squire Sp.10 with a Fenders Squire. Studio version, Metallica (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 neck pickup, studio rack reverb and spatial processing

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

Amp settings — Fender squire Sp.10

CHANNELClean (OD switch disengaged)BOOSToff

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	2
Bass	6
Treble	4
Master	5

Don’t have a Fender squire Sp.10? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPneck TONE8 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Digital Reverb (Hall / Plate)

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned (run direct into amp input)

Mix / Level 5 · Decay / Time 6 · Tone 5

Why these settings

The Fender Squier SP-10 is a basic two-band practice amp without a dedicated mid control, presence knob, or built-in reverb, so both mid and presence are nulled. Setting the volume/gain low on the clean channel keeps the solid-state circuit completely transparent, while rolling the treble back to 4 offsets the naturally bright Squier single-coils to emulate James Hetfield's warm EMG 60 neck pickup. Distortion solo: engage the amp's OD switch with Gain around 8 and open the guitar tone to 10.

PRO TIPPluck the open strings and chords with the pads of your fingers rather than a pick to get the soft, rounded transient attack characteristic of the studio intro.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Fender squire Sp.10. 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.