Seek & Destroy amp settings — Kustom 12 Gauge
The Metallica guitar tone for “Seek & Destroy”, dialed in for a Kustom 12 Gauge with a Ibanez RG550. Studio version, Kill 'Em All (1983) — main rhythm tone
Jose Arredondo-modded Marshall 1959 Super Lead / JCM800 + Ibanez TS9 / ProCo Rat boost + Gibson Flying V (Seymour Duncan Invader bridge humbucker)
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 6 |
| Bass | 6 |
| Mid | 4 |
| Treble | 8 |
| Master | 5 |
01Boss BD-2 Blues Driver
Used as a clean boost in front to tighten the low-end and slam the Lead channel input
The Kustom 12 Gauge has a 3-band EQ and Lead channel, but lacks the massive low-mid punch and harmonic saturation of a modded Marshall stack. Running the Boss BD-2 with Level high and Gain low acts as a tight overdrive boost, cutting flubby bass before it hits the preamp while pushing the amp's Lead gain stage into sharp thrash crunch. Treble is pushed to 8 to replicate the piercing high-end bite of the Seymour Duncan Invader pickup.
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These settings are for a Kustom 12 Gauge. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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