Tone library / Metallica / Nothing Else Matters

Nothing Else Matters amp settings — Marshall MG15FX

The Metallica guitar tone for “Nothing Else Matters”, dialed in for a Marshall MG15FX with a Squier Affinity Stratocaster. Studio version, Black Album (1991)

Original rig

ESP KH-2 (EMG 81 bridge, EMG 60 neck) → Cry Baby wah → Mesa Boogie Mark IIC+ lead channel → delay (likely TC Electronic 2290 or Boss DD-3)

Warm, singing lead with smooth sustain and vocal-like expressiveness

Amp settings — Marshall MG15FX

CHANNELOD2 (Overdrive 2)BRIGHToffBOOSToff

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	7
Bass	4
Mid	6
Treble	6
Presence	5
Reverb	2
Master	5

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Guitar

PICKUPneck TONE7 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Delay (MG15FX onboard)

Use MOD/FX button to select delay mode on the amp

Time 4 · Feedback 3 · Level 3

Why these settings

Mesa Mark IIC+ is mid-forward and compressed; Marshall MG is brighter and more aggressive. Cut treble from original's 7 to 6, pushed mid from 5.5 to 6 to retain vocal quality. Gain at 7 compensates for passive single-coil vs active EMG 60 — your neck pickup output is lower, so more preamp gain is needed. Rolled tone knob to 7 tames Strat brightness.

PRO TIPUse slow, deliberate vibrato on sustained notes and let each bend settle before releasing — Hammett's phrasing breathes between phrases rather than rushing through runs, which makes the solo sing over the orchestration.

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Marshall MG15FX settingsALL SONGS FOR THIS AMP Nothing Else Matters on other ampsSAME SONG, YOUR AMP Metallica tonesALL SONGS Metallica on the Marshall MG15FXSAME ARTIST, SAME AMP Squier Affinity 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.