Seek & Destroy amp settings — Ampeg Rocket Bass RB-110
The Metallica guitar tone for “Seek & Destroy”, dialed in for a Ampeg Rocket Bass RB-110 with a Fender American Professional II Stratocaster. Studio version, Kill 'Em All (1983)
1981 Gibson Flying V (humbuckers, bridge) → ProCo Rat → Jose Arredondo hot-rodded Marshall JMP 2203 100W head
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 3 |
| Bass | 4 |
| Mid | 3 |
| Treble | 2 |
| Presence | 0 |
| Reverb | 0 |
| Master | 6 |
01ProCo Rat 2 (or clone)
RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. This is non-negotiable for the tone; the Rat IS the gain source on the original recording. A Rat 2, Turbo Rat, or any Rat clone (Mooer Black Secret, JHS PackRat) will work. Run into amp input.
The Ampeg Rocket Bass RB-110 is a bass combo — it lacks guitar-voiced midrange and has no onboard distortion. Set amp EQ conservatively (bass down to avoid mud, treble down because bass amps have harsh guitar highs) and use it as a clean platform. The Rat pedal is mandatory; it provides all the gain and the characteristic snarl. Your Strat's single coils are brighter and lower output than Hetfield's Flying V humbuckers, so the Rat's Filter stays middle-low (4) to avoid ice-pick treble, and Distortion goes to 7 to compensate for the weaker signal.
Get this tone on your amp
These settings are for a Ampeg Rocket Bass RB-110. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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