Tone library / Metallica / Wherever I May Roam

Wherever I May Roam amp settings — Marshal MG30GFX

The Metallica guitar tone for “Wherever I May Roam”, dialed in for a Marshal MG30GFX with a Jackson JS22 Dinky. Studio version, Metallica (Black Album), 1991

Original rig

Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ with Tube Screamer boost, ESP Explorer with EMG 81/60 pickups

Tight, scooped mid-heavy rhythm with aggressive palm-mute clarity and saturated sustain

Amp settings — Marshal MG30GFX

CHANNELOD2 (Overdrive 2)

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

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01MG30GFX Built-in Overdrive (OD mode)

Use the amp's built-in OD effect to simulate a Tube Screamer boost — tightens low end for palm mutes. Set to OD mode, not Distortion.

Level 7 · Tone 6

02Tube Screamer TS9 or Clone

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. A $30 TS clone would dramatically improve palm-mute definition. Run into the front of the amp with OD2 channel.

Drive 1 · Tone 6 · Level 8

Why these settings

The MG30GFX is a solid-state Marshall with a mid-forward voice, closer to the JCM800 character than the Mesa IIC+. The original tone has a deep mid-scoop around 750Hz which the Mesa excels at — compensate by dropping mids to 3 and pushing treble to 7. The Jackson's high-output humbuckers approximate EMG response, so no gain compensation needed. Use the built-in OD effect as a boost to tighten the low end, mimicking the Tube Screamer's role on the original.

PRO TIPHetfield's right-hand technique is 90% of this tone — strict downpicking with palm mutes anchored just behind the bridge saddles, not on top of them. Keep your pick attack aggressive and consistent; the amp settings mean nothing if your muting is sloppy.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Marshal MG30GFX. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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