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 Les Paul Classic. Studio version, Metallica (The Black Album, 1991)

Original rig

ESP MX-220 (EMG 81/60) into modified Mesa Boogie Mark IIC++ layered with Jose-modded Marshall, Marshall 1960 4x12 cab, Aphex EQF-2 EQ cutting 1.2kHz, Aphex CX-1 compressor, tuned to D standard

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 typeBOOSToff

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	7
Bass	8
Mid	3
Treble	7
Reverb	1
Master	5

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Why these settings

The Katana 50 MkII's Brown amp type delivers the tight, saturated Mesa/Marshall hybrid crunch needed for this tone. We scoop the mids down to 3 and push the bass to 8 to replicate the Mark IIC+'s classic V-curve EQ and down-tuned low-end punch without needing external hardware. Presence is left null because the Katana 50 MkII faceplate does not feature a physical presence knob.

PRO TIPTune your guitar down a full step to D Standard (D-G-C-F-A-D) and execute heavy, precise downstrokes with the side of your picking palm locked firmly against the bridge saddles for maximum percussive thud.

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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Song, artist and gear names are used to identify the tone being matched; ToneAdapt is not affiliated with or endorsed by the artists or manufacturers mentioned. Settings are AI-generated starting points — trust your ears.