Tone library / Metallica / The Shortest Straw

The Shortest Straw amp settings — Marshall MG30CFX

The Metallica guitar tone for “The Shortest Straw”, dialed in for a Marshall MG30CFX with a Jackson JS32 Dinky. Studio version, ...And Justice for All (1988) rhythm track

Original rig

ESP MX-220 (EMG 81 bridge) into Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC++ (V-curve 5-band graphic EQ) into Marshall 1960B 4x12 cab

Ultra-tight, dry, scooped thrash rhythm with aggressive upper-mid attack and massive low-end punch

Amp settings — Marshall MG30CFX

CHANNELOD-2

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	7
Bass	8
Mid	2
Treble	7
Reverb	0
Master	5

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Why these settings

The Marshall MG30CFX uses OD-2 to emulate the saturated Mark IIC++ preamp distortion while lacking a dedicated physical presence knob. Scooping the mids to 2 replicates the famous Mesa graphic EQ 'V-curve' while pushing bass to 8 and treble to 7 delivers the dry, clinical percussive attack of the album mix. Keeping the amp gain at 7 prevents the Jackson JS32 ceramic humbuckers from turning the low-end palm mutes muddy.

PRO TIPAnchor your picking hand strictly across the bridge saddles and execute heavy, aggressive downstrokes exclusively to achieve the laser-tight, percussive chug signature to Hetfield's Justice-era rhythm tracks.

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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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