Ride the lightning amp settings — Marshall DSL40CR
The Metallica guitar tone for “Ride the lightning”, dialed in for a Marshall DSL40CR with a ESP LTD JH-600 James Hetfield. Studio version, Ride the Lightning (1984)
Marshall JCM800 2203 (Jose Arredondo mod), Gibson Explorer with Dirty Fingers humbucker, Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer as boost
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 8 |
| Bass | 7 |
| Mid | 3 |
| Treble | 7 |
| Presence | 6 |
| Reverb | 0 |
| Master | 5 |
01Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer
RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. Used as a clean boost to tighten low-end and push the amp's front end. Essential for the Ride the Lightning attack. Budget alternative: Boss SD-1 or TC Electronic Cinders.
Your DSL40CR's Ultra Gain channel is voiced hotter and more modern than the original JCM800, so gain is dropped from 10 to 8 to avoid fizz. Mids scooped to 3 matches the classic thrash sound. Without a Tube Screamer, your tone will lack the tight pick attack—the TS is doing critical low-end filtering on the original recording.
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These settings are for a Marshall DSL40CR. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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