Sad but true amp settings — Marshall Mg15

The Metallica guitar tone for “Sad but true”, dialed in for a Marshall Mg15 with a Jackson JS22 Dinky. Studio version, Metallica 'Black Album' (1991)

Original rig

ESP Explorer with EMG 81 bridge pickup → Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (Gain 8, Bass 6, Mid 5, Treble 6, Presence 6)

Tight, scooped, aggressive rhythm tone with crushing low-end chunk and cutting highs

Amp settings — Marshall Mg15

CHANNELOD1 or OD2 (Overdrive channel)

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

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Why these settings

The MG15 lacks the tight low-end compression of a Mesa Mark IIC+, so bass is pushed to 7 to compensate for the looser solid-state response. Mids scooped to 3 for the classic Metallica 'V curve.' The MG15 has no presence knob—treble at 7 handles the upper-mid bite instead. Your Jackson's passive humbuckers are lower output than Hetfield's EMG 81s, so gain stays at 8 to maintain saturation.

PRO TIPHetfield's tone lives in his right hand—strict downpicking with the pick angled slightly and palm muting right at the bridge saddles. Tune to D Standard (D-G-C-F-A-D) to match the recording; the riff loses its menace in standard tuning.

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These settings are for a Marshall Mg15. 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.