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Seek & Destroy amp settings — Black Star ID:CORE Stereo 10

The Metallica guitar tone for “Seek & Destroy”, dialed in for a Black Star ID:CORE Stereo 10 with a ESP LTD MH-301QM EMG-HZ. Studio version, Kill 'Em All (1983)

Original rig

Marshall JMP 2203 (modified/hot-rodded 100W head), 1981 Gibson Flying V with stock humbuckers

Bright, aggressive early-thrash with scooped mids, tight low end, and biting high-frequency attack

Amp settings — Black Star ID:CORE Stereo 10

CHANNELOD2 (Super Crunch voice)BOOSToff

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	7
Bass	6
Mid	3
Treble	7
Presence	5
Reverb	0
Master	5

Don’t have a Black Star ID:CORE Stereo 10? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Why these settings

Original Marshall settings show gain 8.5, bass 7, mid 2.5, treble 8, presence 6. Your Blackstar ISF should sit around 2 o'clock (toward British voicing) to match Marshall character. Dropped gain to 7 and treble to 7 because your EMG-HZ pickups are hotter and brighter than passive humbuckers—pushing harder would create fizz. Bass reduced to 6 to keep the low end tight on a 10W speaker.

PRO TIPHetfield's right-hand attack was relentless downpicking with the pick angled sharply—dig in hard near the bridge pickup for that percussive chunk that defines the riff's aggression.

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These settings are for a Black Star ID:CORE Stereo 10. 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.