Tone library / Metallica / Ride the Lightning

Ride the Lightning amp settings — Yamaha THR10II

The Metallica guitar tone for “Ride the Lightning”, dialed in for a Yamaha THR10II with a Yamaha Pacifica 112V. Studio version, Ride the Lightning album (1984)

Original rig

Marshall JCM800 2203 (Jose Arredondo mod), Gibson Explorer with Dirty Fingers humbucker, Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer as boost

Tight, aggressive thrash rhythm with scooped mids, sizzling top end, and percussive palm-mute attack

Amp settings — Yamaha THR10II

CHANNELHI GAIN (British amp voicing)

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	8
Bass	6
Mid	3
Treble	7
Reverb	0
Master	6

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE8 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01THR10II built-in COMPRESSOR

Light compression to simulate TS tightening effect on low end — access via THR Remote app

Comp Level (via app) 3

02Tube Screamer style OD (e.g., Ibanez TS9 or Boss SD-1)

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. Essential for authentic RTL tone. Used as a clean boost to tighten low end and push the amp, not as a distortion source. Boss SD-1 is a budget alternative.

Drive 2 · Tone 6 · Level 7

Why these settings

The THR10II's HI GAIN British voicing approximates the JCM800 character. Your Pacifica's Alnico V humbucker is lower output than Hetfield's Dirty Fingers, so gain is pushed to 8 to compensate. Mids scooped to 3 for that classic thrash V-curve. Without a real Tube Screamer, you lose the crucial low-end tightening that defines this tone — the compressor in the app is a partial workaround, but acquiring a TS-style pedal is the single biggest upgrade for this sound.

PRO TIPPalm mute directly over the bridge saddles, not further up the strings — Hetfield's attack on RTL is extremely precise and percussive. Pick hard and close to the bridge for that 'chunk' on the low E riffs.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Yamaha THR10II. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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