Tone library / Metallica / Seek and destroy

Seek and destroy amp settings — Positive Grid Spark 2

The Metallica guitar tone for “Seek and destroy”, dialed in for a Positive Grid Spark 2 with a ESP LTD EX 50. Studio version, Kill 'Em All (1983)

Original rig

Hot-rodded Marshall (JMP/JCM800 era, cascading gain mod) + 1981 Gibson Flying V with stock humbuckers; Hetfield's white Flying V for rhythm, Hammett's black Flying V for leads

Tight, percussive thrash rhythm with scooped mids, aggressive palm muting, sharp biting treble, chunky low end, dry with no reverb

Amp settings — Positive Grid Spark 2

CHANNELMetal amp model (Marshall-based high-gain voicing)BRIGHToffBOOSToff

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	9
Bass	8
Mid	3
Treble	8
Presence	6
Reverb	0
Master	7

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Why these settings

Your ESP LTD EX 50 with its humbucker bridge pickup is tonally close to the original Flying V setup — no compensation needed for pickup output. The Spark's Metal or high-gain Marshall-style amp model replicates the hot-rodded cascading gain of Hetfield's modified head. Mids scooped to 3 delivers that classic thrash scoop; bass at 8 provides the chunky low-end thump without mud.

PRO TIPLock your picking wrist and use aggressive all-downstroke picking on the palm-muted chugs — Hetfield's early tone is defined as much by his percussive right-hand attack as the amp settings. Dig in hard directly over the bridge pickup pole pieces for maximum articulation.

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These settings are for a Positive Grid Spark 2. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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