Whiplash amp settings — Fender Hot Rod Deluxe IV
The Metallica guitar tone for “Whiplash”, dialed in for a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe IV with a Fender American Ultra Stratocaster. Main riff and rhythm tracks, Studio version, Kill 'Em All (1983)
Electra Flying V (Seymour Duncan Invader humbucker) -> ProCo Rat / Ibanez TS9 -> Jose Arredondo-modded Marshall JCM800 / 1959 Plexi
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 9 |
| Bass | 4 |
| Mid | 7 |
| Treble | 5 |
| Presence | 4 |
| Reverb | 0 |
| Master | 4 |
The Hot Rod Deluxe IV has a scooped, high-headroom American voice, so the 'More Drive' channel and onboard boost are engaged with mid pushed to 7 to approximate the modded Marshall's aggressive midrange crunch. Single coils lack the high-output punch of James's Duncan Invader, so bass is pulled back to keep the attack tight while tone is rolled down to 8 to tame single-coil ice-pick frequencies. Adding an external high-gain distortion like a ProCo Rat into the clean channel is the ultimate upgrade to nail early Metallica thrash saturation.
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These settings are for a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe IV. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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