Sad But True amp settings — Blackstar HT5R MkII
The Metallica guitar tone for “Sad But True”, dialed in for a Blackstar HT5R MkII with a Fender American Professional II Stratocaster. Studio version, Metallica (The Black Album, 1991) - Main Riff
ESP MX-220 (EMG 81/60) into Mesa Boogie Mark IIC++ and Jose-modded Marshall, Marshall 1960 4x12 cab with V30s, Aphex EQF-2 (1.2kHz mid-cut), Aphex CX-1 Compressor in loop. D Standard tuning.
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 7 |
| Bass | 8 |
| Mid | 3 |
| Treble | 7 |
| Reverb | 1 |
| Master | 6 |
01Boss DS-1 Distortion
Used as a tight front-end boost to compress and focus the single-coil attack into the amp's high-gain channel.
The HT-5R MkII lacks a dedicated presence control, so treble is pushed to 7 while the ISF is dialed toward American (around 4) to emulate the Mark IIC+ classic 'V' mid-scoop. Because your Stratocaster single coils are inherently thinner and brighter than Hetfield's active humbuckers, bass is raised to 8, tone is rolled back to 8, and the DS-1 is engaged with minimal distortion and high output to tighten the low-end without adding mud. Ensure your guitar is tuned down a full step to D Standard (D-G-C-F-A-D) to match the heavy string tension and low fundamental of the recording.
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These settings are for a Blackstar HT5R MkII. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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