Tone library / Metallica / Seek & Destroy

Seek & Destroy amp settings — Boss ME-90

The Metallica guitar tone for “Seek & Destroy”, dialed in for a Boss ME-90 with a PRS Custom 24. Studio version, Kill 'Em All (1983)

Original rig

Marshall JCM800 cranked, Mesa/Boogie Mark II, Gibson Flying V and ESP Explorer with EMG pickups, ProCo RAT for additional grit, Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer as boost

Aggressive thrash rhythm with tight low-end, scooped mids, bright cutting attack, and saturated gain — the defining early Metallica sound

Amp settings — Boss ME-90

CHANNELJCM800 amp modelBRIGHToffBOOSToff

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	8
Bass	8
Mid	4
Treble	8
Presence	6
Reverb	0
Master	7

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Noise Suppressor (NS-2 model)

Place first to tame high-gain noise

Threshold 4 · Decay 3

02T Screamer (TS model)

Use as a boost into the JCM800 model — low drive, level pushing the amp for tighter attack

Drive 2 · Tone 6 · Level 7

03Graphic EQ

Reinforce the classic V-shaped scoop — cut 400-800Hz, boost lows and upper presence

100Hz 7 · 200Hz 6 · 400Hz 3 · 800Hz 3 · 1.6kHz 5 · 3.2kHz 7

Why these settings

The ME-90's JCM800 model nails the Marshall bark Hetfield used. The PRS humbuckers are hotter and warmer than the original EMGs, so gain is set slightly lower (8 vs maxed) to avoid mud. Mid at 4 gives the scooped thrash sound without disappearing; the TS boost tightens the low-end and adds pick attack exactly like the studio chain.

PRO TIPPalm mute hard and close to the bridge with aggressive downpicking — Hetfield's right-hand attack is 50% of this tone. Let the muted notes ring just slightly longer than feels natural for that churning gallop.

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These settings are for a Boss ME-90. 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.