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Seek and destroy amp settings — Vox AC30C2

The Metallica guitar tone for “Seek and destroy”, dialed in for a Vox AC30C2 with a Harley Benton SC-Custom II. Studio version, Kill 'Em All (1983)

Original rig

Modified Marshall JMP 2203 100W head, Gibson Flying V with stock humbuckers, Ibanez Tube Screamer (Kirk's leads), no documented effects on main rhythm

Aggressive scooped thrash rhythm with bright attack and tight low-end

Amp settings — Vox AC30C2

CHANNELTop BoostBRIGHToff

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	10
Bass	5
Mid	3
Treble	6
Presence	4
Reverb	0
Master	7

Don’t have a Vox AC30C2? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE8 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Distortion Pedal (RECOMMENDED — Boss DS-1 or ProCo RAT)

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. AC30 cannot produce thrash-level gain on its own. A DS-1 ($50 new) or RAT clone gets you 85% there. With this pedal, drop amp gain to 3.

Dist/Drive 8 · Tone 6 · Level 7

Why these settings

The AC30 is fundamentally wrong for this tone — it's a Class A chime machine, not a high-gain thrash amp. Original Marshall settings were gain 8.5, mid 2.5, treble 8, presence 6. I've maxed your gain and pushed master volume to get power tube breakup, dropped treble from 8 to 6 because the AC30's Top Boost channel is already bright and will get fizzy, and raised mid from 2.5 to 3 because the Vox is less naturally mid-forward than a Marshall. Without a distortion pedal, you will get crunchy blues-rock at best — not thrash. The pedal is essential.

PRO TIPDownpick every note with your palm muted hard against the bridge saddles — Hetfield's tone is 50% right-hand technique. Angle the pick slightly and attack the strings aggressively; the percussive chunk defines early Metallica more than any amp setting.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Vox AC30C2. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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