Whiplash amp settings — Boss Katana 50 MkII

The Metallica guitar tone for “Whiplash”, dialed in for a Boss Katana 50 MkII with a Epiphone Explorer. Studio version, Kill 'Em All (1983) - Main Riff

Original rig

Electra Flying V (Seymour Duncan Invader) -> ProCo Rat / TS9 -> Jose Arredondo-modded Marshall JCM800 2203 / 1959 Plexi

Aggressive, raw early-thrash bite with tight low-end chug and prominent upper-mid attack

Amp settings — Boss Katana 50 MkII

CHANNELBrown amp typeBOOSTon

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

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Onboard Booster (TS/OD Mode)

Engage onboard Booster to emulate the TS9/Rat tightening the front of the modded Marshall

Drive 0 · Tone 6 · Level 8

Why these settings

The Katana's Brown amp type delivers the hot-rodded Marshall crunch of the original recording. Engaging the onboard booster with drive at zero tightens the Explorer's low end and recreates the TS9 front-end push without turning muddy. Keep the mids around 6 rather than fully scooping them, as Kill 'Em All relied heavily on upper-mid bite before Metallica adopted the extreme scooped 'V' curve later.

PRO TIPAnchor your palm directly on the bridge saddle and strike with aggressive, strict downpicking to get the sharp, percussive chug attack that defines the Kill 'Em All rhythm tracks.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Boss Katana 50 MkII. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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