Tone library / Metallica / The frayed ends of sanity

The frayed ends of sanity amp settings — Marshall MG30CFX

The Metallica guitar tone for “The frayed ends of sanity”, dialed in for a Marshall MG30CFX with a Harley Benton SC-Custom II. Studio version, ...And Justice for All (1988)

Original rig

Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ with Aphex EQF-2 parametric EQ in loop, Gibson Explorer with EMG 81 (Hetfield rhythm), Gibson Les Paul/ESP with EMG 81/60 (Hammett leads)

Tight, scooped thrash metal with aggressive pick attack, compressed sustain, and razor-sharp palm mutes

Amp settings — Marshall MG30CFX

CHANNELOD1 (Overdrive 1)

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	8
Bass	7
Mid	3
Treble	7
Presence	6
Reverb	0
Master	5

Don’t have a Marshall MG30CFX? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Boss GE-7 Equalizer or similar

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. The original used Aphex EQF-2 parametric EQs to achieve the scooped mid sound. A GE-7 in front of the amp will help you carve the 400-800Hz scoop that defines this tone.

100Hz 6 · 200Hz 4 · 400Hz 3 · 800Hz 2 · 1.6kHz 4 · 3.2kHz 6 · 6.4kHz 5 · Level 6

Why these settings

The MG30CFX has a harsher, more brittle high-gain voicing than the smooth compression of a Mesa Mark IIC+. Mid is dropped to 3 to approximate the famous Justice scoop, but Marshall's natural mid-forward character means you won't get as extreme a scoop without an EQ pedal. Presence at 6 adds pick attack definition without the fizz that MG amps can produce above 7. Your SC-Custom II's passive humbuckers have less output and compression than Hetfield's active EMGs, so gain is pushed to 8 to compensate.

PRO TIPTune down to Eb standard (half step down) to match the recording. For the tight palm-muted chugs, anchor your picking hand firmly on the bridge and strike the strings with the thick part of the pick at a slight angle—the Justice tone lives and dies by precise, aggressive right-hand technique, not just amp settings.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Marshall MG30CFX. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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