One amp settings — Mesa Boogie Mark IIC+

The Metallica guitar tone for “One”, dialed in for a Mesa Boogie Mark IIC+ with a Gibson Flying V. Studio version, ...And Justice for All (1988)

Original rig

ESP MX-220 (EMG 81 bridge) → Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ head → Mesa Rectifier 4x12 (V30s), no pedals on rhythm tracks

Tight, scooped, percussive thrash rhythm with crisp high end, chunky palm mutes, and dry aggressive attack

Amp settings — Mesa Boogie Mark IIC+

CHANNELLead (R2) with all knobs PULLED except BassBRIGHTon

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	8
Bass	5
Mid	3
Treble	7
Presence	5
Reverb	0
Master	5

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Why these settings

Your Mark IIC+ is the exact amp used on the original recording — no voicing compensation needed. Your Flying V's passive humbuckers are slightly warmer and lower output than Hetfield's active EMG 81s, so gain stays at 8 (vs the 8.5 he ran) and treble holds at 7 to preserve articulation. The graphic EQ V-shape is critical — scoop 750Hz hard, boost 2.2kHz and 6.6kHz for that razor-sharp pick attack. Pull all knobs except Bass for the Boogie's extended gain staging.

PRO TIPDownpick every rhythm note — the entire song. Hetfield's attack consistency is 90% of this tone. The clean intro section: switch to Lead 1 (not R2), drop gain to 2, and use your overdrive pedal OFF as a clean boost set to unity gain for the arpeggios.

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These settings are for a Mesa Boogie Mark IIC+. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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Mesa Boogie Mark IIC+ settingsALL SONGS FOR THIS AMP One on other ampsSAME SONG, YOUR AMP Metallica tonesALL SONGS Metallica on the Mesa Boogie Mark IIC+SAME ARTIST, SAME AMP Gibson Flying V 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.