Seek amp settings — Fender Champion 20
The Metallica guitar tone for “Seek”, dialed in for a Fender Champion 20 with a Cort X300. Studio version, Kill 'Em All (1983)
Hot-rodded Marshall JMP 2203 (100W head, cascaded gain mod) + 1981 Gibson Flying V with stock humbuckers
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 10 |
| Bass | 6 |
| Mid | 3 |
| Treble | 5 |
| Presence | 0 |
| Reverb | 0 |
| Master | 7 |
01Boss DS-1 Distortion
RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. The Champion 20's solid-state gain cannot replicate hot-rodded Marshall saturation. A DS-1 ($50 new, $30 used) is the cheapest path to this tone. Set amp gain to 3 and use the DS-1 as primary dirt source.
The Fender Champion 20 is a solid-state practice amp with a naturally scooped, bright voicing—opposite of the mid-forward Marshall original. I maxed gain because the Champion's drive is weak and buzzy, not tube-like. Treble dropped from the original's 8 to 5 because the Champion's treble is already ice-picky at high gain. Mid pushed slightly higher than the original's scooped 2.5 to compensate for the Champion's inherent mid-scoop. Without a distortion pedal, you'll get 50% of this tone at best.
Get this tone on your amp
These settings are for a Fender Champion 20. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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