Sad but true amp settings — Blackstar ID:30TVP

The Metallica guitar tone for “Sad but true”, dialed in for a Blackstar ID:30TVP with a Ibanez GIO GRG170DX. Studio version, Metallica (The Black Album), 1991

Original rig

Mesa Boogie Mark IIC++ with Aphex EQF-2 EQ cutting 1.2kHz, ESP MX Explorer with EMG 81, Marshall 1960 4x12 cab with Celestion V30s, tuned to E♭ standard

Crushing low-end chunk with scooped mids, tight palm-muted attack, aggressive high-gain rhythm

Amp settings — Blackstar ID:30TVP

CHANNELOD2 (high-gain channel)BOOSToff

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

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE8 VOLUME10

Why these settings

The ID:30TVP lacks a presence knob, so that value is null. Set the ISF fully clockwise (British/Marshall voicing) to get closer to the Mesa's tight midrange character. The original used a 1.2kHz cut via external EQ — compensate by dropping mid to 3 and pushing bass to 7; the ISF position will prevent it from getting muddy. Your Ibanez's INF pickups are lower output than Hetfield's EMGs, so gain goes +1 from the original's relative position to maintain saturation.

PRO TIPTune to E♭ standard and palm-mute hard directly over the bridge pickup — Hetfield's chunk comes from muting pressure and pick attack, not just gain. Dig in with downstrokes only on the main riff for that Black Album thud.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Blackstar ID:30TVP. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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