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Nothing Else Matters amp settings — Marshall Mg15 cdr

The Metallica guitar tone for “Nothing Else Matters”, dialed in for a Marshall Mg15 cdr with a Gibson Kirk Hammett Les Paul Standard. Studio version, Metallica 'Black Album' (1991) — clean arpeggiated intro/verses

Original rig

Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus + MXR DynaComp (blended with direct signal), Tom Anderson ProAM Strat with single coils, neck pickup

Pristine, glassy clean with subtle compression and stereo chorus shimmer — warm but articulate fingerpicked arpeggios

Amp settings — Marshall Mg15 cdr

CHANNELClean (FX selector to Clean/Crunch position, not OD)

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

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Guitar

PICKUPneck TONE7 VOLUME8

Why these settings

The MG15 CDR is a solid-state practice amp with a bright, thin voicing compared to the lush JC-120 stereo clean. Treble dropped to 5 (original was 6-7) to compensate for the MG's harsh high end. Mid pushed to 6 to add body the MG lacks. Your Les Paul's humbuckers are hotter and warmer than the original's single coils—roll guitar volume to 8 and tone to 7 to thin out the signal and approach that Strat-like clarity. The MG's built-in chorus and reverb approximate the JC-120's famous stereo chorus effect.

PRO TIPFingerpick the arpeggios with your thumb on the low E and three fingers (index, middle, ring) plucking the G, B, and high E strings simultaneously—Hetfield used no pick for the intro. Let notes ring and overlap; the tone lives in the sustain.

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These settings are for a Marshall Mg15 cdr. 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.