One amp settings — Vox DA5 DA5

The Metallica guitar tone for “One”, dialed in for a Vox DA5 DA5 with a Harley benton Hbo850. Studio version, ...And Justice for All (1988)

Original rig

Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ head, ESP MX-220 with EMG 81 bridge pickup, no pedals on main rhythm tone

Tight and percussive, heavily scooped mids, aggressive palm-muting articulation, high-gain saturation with rhythm clarity

Amp settings — Vox DA5 DA5

CHANNELOverdrive channel (NU-METAL or METAL voicing if available via modeling selector)

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	10
Bass	8
Mid	1
Treble	7
Presence	6
Reverb	0
Master	5

Don’t have a Vox DA5 DA5? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Why these settings

The Vox DA5 is a small modeling amp with limited gain on tap compared to the Mark IIC+. Gain is maxed at 10 to get as close to high-gain saturation as possible—the DA5 will still be lighter than the original. Mids dropped to 1 to replicate the signature Justice-era scoop. Your Harley Benton's passive humbuckers have lower output than Hetfield's EMGs, so bass is pushed to 8 to compensate for the thinner low-end attack.

PRO TIPPalm-mute directly over the bridge saddles with your picking hand anchored firmly—Hetfield's tone on this track is defined by that extremely tight, percussive chug. Loose palm muting will sound flabby even with correct settings.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Vox DA5 DA5. 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.