Tone library / Metallica / Seek & Destroy

Seek & Destroy amp settings — Blackstar ID:Core 40 V4

The Metallica guitar tone for “Seek & Destroy”, dialed in for a Blackstar ID:Core 40 V4 with a Jackson JS11 Dinky. Studio version, Kill 'Em All (1983)

Original rig

1981 Gibson Flying V (bridge humbucker) → ProCo Rat → Jose Arredondo-modded Marshall JMP 2203 100W head

Tight, aggressive thrash rhythm with scooped mids, percussive palm mutes, and biting treble attack

Amp settings — Blackstar ID:Core 40 V4

CHANNELOD2 (high-gain channel)

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	8
Bass	5
Mid	3
Treble	7
Presence	6
Reverb	0
Master	7

Don’t have a Blackstar ID:Core 40 V4? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE8 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01ProCo Rat 2 (or clone)

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. The Rat adds the saturated, compressed edge that defined early Metallica. Without it, increase amp gain to 9 and accept slightly less compression.

Distortion 4 · Filter 6 · Volume 7

Why these settings

The Blackstar ID:Core's OD2 channel with ISF turned toward British gets you into Marshall territory. Your Jackson's bridge humbucker has similar output to Hetfield's Flying V, so no gain compensation needed. Mid dropped to 3 (vs original's ~2.5) because the ID:Core's mid control is less aggressive than a real JMP — you need slightly more to avoid getting too thin. Bass pulled back from original's 7 to 5 because the ID:Core can get boomy in the low end at bedroom volume.

PRO TIPHetfield's pick attack is everything — use a thick pick (1mm+), anchor your palm firmly on the bridge for mutes, and strike the strings with a slight downward angle. The tone lives in the precision of the right hand, not just the gain.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Blackstar ID:Core 40 V4. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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