Tone library / Metallica / Ride the Lightning

Ride the Lightning amp settings — Nux Mighty 8BT

The Metallica guitar tone for “Ride the Lightning”, dialed in for a Nux Mighty 8BT with a Madison Meg WH. Studio version, Ride the Lightning (1984)

Original rig

Marshall JCM800 2203 (Jose Arredondo mod), 1984 Gibson Explorer with stock bridge humbucker, no pedals — straight into amp

Tight, aggressive thrash rhythm with scooped mids, bright attack, and chunky low-end

Amp settings — Nux Mighty 8BT

CHANNELHi-Gain (Marshall-voiced model)

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

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Why these settings

The Nux Mighty 8BT's Hi-Gain channel approximates the JCM800's aggressive voicing. I dropped gain from the original's dimed setting (8+) to 7 because the Mighty 8BT's digital gain saturates faster and gets muddy when maxed. Mids at 2 replicate the classic thrash scoop; your Madison's humbuckers will fill the low-mid gap naturally.

PRO TIPPalm-mute placement matters — mute closer to the bridge saddles (within 1 inch) for that tight 'chunk' without flubby low-end; Hetfield's right-hand precision is half the tone.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Nux Mighty 8BT. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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