Tone library / Metallica / Seek AND destroy

Seek AND destroy amp settings — Ayson TG 40r

The Metallica guitar tone for “Seek AND destroy”, dialed in for a Ayson TG 40r with a ESP LTD MH-1000. Studio version, Kill 'Em All (1983)

Original rig

Gibson Flying V (1981) with passive humbuckers (likely Dirty Fingers/T-Tops), Marshall JCM800 2203 100W head into Marshall 4x12 cabinet, Pro Co Rat distortion pedal

Tight, percussive thrash rhythm with scooped mids, aggressive palm-mute definition, and biting treble

Amp settings — Ayson TG 40r

CHANNELOverdriveBRIGHToff

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	8
Bass	6
Mid	2
Treble	8
Presence	6
Reverb	0
Master	7

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Why these settings

The Ayson TG 40R's Overdrive channel is a JCM800-voiced circuit, so the Marshall-based original translates directly. Your ESP's active EMG pickups (EMG 81 bridge likely) run hotter than Hetfield's passive Gibson humbuckers, so gain is dropped from the Marshall's 8.5 to 8, and bass is reduced from 7 to 6 to compensate for the EMG's tighter, more compressed low-end response. The original used a Pro Co Rat for extra saturation, but your amp's high-gain Overdrive channel at 8 covers that territory without needing a pedal.

PRO TIPHetfield's tone lives in the palm mute — keep your picking-hand heel planted firmly on the bridge and use all downstrokes for the main riff. The note separation comes from lifting the mute slightly between each chug, not from gain or EQ.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Ayson TG 40r. 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.