One amp settings — Peavey Vypyr

The Metallica guitar tone for “One”, dialed in for a Peavey Vypyr with a Fender Player Stratocaster. Studio version, ...And Justice for All (1988) — heavy distorted riff sections

Original rig

Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ head, ESP MX-220 with humbuckers (bridge position), no pedals for distorted tone

Tight, scooped thrash metal rhythm with razor-sharp pick attack and minimal low-mid mud

Amp settings — Peavey Vypyr

CHANNELHigh Gain / Metal channel (select '6505' or 'XXX' amp model if available)BRIGHToffBOOSToff

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	7
Bass	6
Mid	2
Treble	8
Presence	5
Reverb	0
Master	5

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Why these settings

Your Strat's single-coil bridge pickup is brighter and lower output than Hetfield's humbuckers, so treble is pushed to 8 (vs original 7) to compensate for the thinner fundamental, while gain is dropped from 8.5 to 7 to avoid fizzy breakup. Mids are scooped hard to 2 to match the Justice-era scoop. The Vypyr's 6505 model is the closest voicing to a Mark IIC+ tight metal tone.

PRO TIPPalm mute extremely close to the bridge saddles — Hetfield's pick attack on this track is almost percussive. Dig in hard with a thick pick (1mm+) angled slightly for that chunk.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Peavey Vypyr. 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.