Tone library / Metallica / Seek and destroy

Seek and destroy amp settings — Marshall G30r cd

The Metallica guitar tone for “Seek and destroy”, dialed in for a Marshall G30r cd with a Jackson JS32 Dinky. Studio version, Kill 'Em All (1983)

Original rig

Modified Marshall JMP 2203 100W head (hot-rodded cascading gain mod), 1981 Gibson Flying V with stock humbuckers, Ibanez Tube Screamer (Hammett's leads)

Tight, aggressive thrash with scooped mids, chunky low end, sharp biting treble, percussive palm-mute articulation

Amp settings — Marshall G30r cd

CHANNELOverdrive (OD)BOOSToff

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

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Boss MT-2 Metal Zone

Use the MT-2's parametric mid to scoop around 400-600Hz (Mid Freq at 4) while keeping some low-mid body; this is your primary gain source

Level 6 · High 7 · Low 6 · Mid Freq 4 · Mid 3 · Dist 7

Why these settings

The G30R CD's solid-state overdrive channel lacks the harmonic saturation of Hetfield's hot-rodded Marshall, so the MT-2 becomes your main gain stage. I've set amp gain at 7 (not maxed) to prevent stacking into mush. The G30R has no presence control, so treble at 7 handles the upper-frequency bite. Mid scooped on both amp and pedal to replicate that classic Kill 'Em All thrash character.

PRO TIPPalm mute directly over the bridge saddles (not further up the strings) for that tight, percussive 'chunk'—Hetfield's early tone relied heavily on precise right-hand muting technique, not just gear settings.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Marshall G30r cd. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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