Tone library / Metallica / Seek and destroy

Seek and destroy amp settings — Marshall MG15g

The Metallica guitar tone for “Seek and destroy”, dialed in for a Marshall MG15g with a Jackson JS32 Dinky. Studio version, Kill 'Em All (1983) — Main rhythm riff

Original rig

Marshall 1959 Super Lead (Jose Arredondo modded) + ProCo Rat distortion + Electra Flying V with Seymour Duncan Invader humbucker

Aggressive, raw early-thrash bite with tight low-end crunch and prominent upper-mid rasp

Amp settings — Marshall MG15g

CHANNELOverdrive (OD)

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

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01ProCo Rat 2

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned; with pedal, switch amp to Clean channel with gain at 2

Distortion 6 · Filter 5 · Volume 7

Why these settings

The MG15G's Overdrive channel provides the raw saturation from the amp alone since no external dirt pedal is owned. The Jackson JS32 high-output ceramic humbuckers push the solid-state preamp effectively, so keep bass at 6 to prevent low-end flub on the 8-inch speaker while pushing treble to 7 for the iconic early-thrash rasp. Mids are kept at 5 to maintain thrash punch without overly scooping the raw 1983 bite.

PRO TIPAggressive, strict downpicking right next to the bridge saddles combined with tight palm muting is critical to replicate James Hetfield's sharp percussive attack on this riff.

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These settings are for a Marshall MG15g. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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