Tone library / Metallica / Seek & Destroy

Seek & Destroy amp settings — Marshal MG15cd

The Metallica guitar tone for “Seek & Destroy”, dialed in for a Marshal MG15cd with a Ibanez RG270DX. Studio version, Kill 'Em All (1983)

Original rig

Marshall 1959 Super Lead (modded by Jose Arredondo) pushed with ProCo Rat / Ibanez TS9, Gibson Flying V with Seymour Duncan Invader / Gibson humbuckers

Raw, aggressive early-80s thrash crunch with tight palm mutes and upper-mid bite

Amp settings — Marshal MG15cd

CHANNELOverdrive (OD Channel)

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	8
Bass	6
Treble	7
Master	5

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Why these settings

The Marshall MG15CD features a 3-band EQ consisting of Bass, Treble, and a specialized Contour knob with no independent Middle control or presence/reverb. Set the Contour knob to 7 in order to scoop the 800Hz region slightly while preserving the aggressive Marshall bite needed for Kill 'Em All. Pushing the Overdrive Gain to 8 delivers the early Jose-modded Marshall saturation without requiring an external boost pedal.

PRO TIPAnchor your palm firmly against the bridge saddle and pick with aggressive, strict downstrokes to replicate James Hetfield's signature percussive chug.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Marshal MG15cd. 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.