Seek&Destroy amp settings — Boss Katana 50 MkII
The Metallica guitar tone for “Seek&Destroy”, dialed in for a Boss Katana 50 MkII with a Yamaha Pacifica 112V. Studio version, Kill 'Em All (1983)
Modified Marshall JMP 2203 100W head, 1981 Gibson Flying V with stock humbuckers, no pedals on rhythm track
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 8 |
| Bass | 6 |
| Mid | 3 |
| Treble | 7 |
| Presence | 5 |
| Reverb | 0 |
| Master | 7 |
The Katana's Brown channel emulates the hot-rodded Marshall voicing Hetfield used. Your Pacifica's Alnico V humbucker in the bridge is lower output than a Flying V's humbuckers, so gain stays at 8 rather than dropping. Mid is scooped to 3 (original sources cite 2-3 range) to capture that hollow thrash scoop, but the Katana's mid control is less aggressive than a real JMP, so don't go lower.
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These settings are for a Boss Katana 50 MkII. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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