Sad but true amp settings — Boss Katana 50 MkII

The Metallica guitar tone for “Sad but true”, dialed in for a Boss Katana 50 MkII with a Epiphone Explorer. Studio version, Metallica (1991) — main heavy rhythm riff

Original rig

ESP MX-220 with EMG 81/60 into Mesa Boogie Mark IIC++ (modified) and Jose-modded Marshall, Marshall 1960B 4x12 with Celestion Vintage 30s, Aphex EQF-2 EQ and CX-1 Compressor

Massive, tight, down-tuned metal chug — heavy low-end thump with scooped mids and controlled high-gain saturation

Amp settings — Boss Katana 50 MkII

CHANNELBROWN amp type

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	7
Bass	7
Mid	3
Treble	7
Reverb	1
Master	5

Don’t have a Boss Katana 50 MkII? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Onboard Booster (Blues Drive / Clean Boost profile)

Engage Katana onboard BOOSTER button to tighten low-end tracking and add pick attack

Drive 0 · Tone 5 · Level 6

Why these settings

The Brown amp type delivers the aggressive high-gain edge needed for the Black Album rhythm crunch without turning flubby. Mid is pulled down to 3 to replicate the studio Aphex EQ mid-scoop, while treble is pushed to 7 to compensate for passive humbuckers vs James' active EMG 81. Gain sits at 7 to maintain articulation when chugging in D standard.

PRO TIPTune the guitar down a full step to D Standard (D-G-C-F-A-D) and anchor your palm heavily against the bridge saddles using strict downpicking on every palm-muted eighth note.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Boss Katana 50 MkII. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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