Sad but true amp settings — Fender Mustang LT25
The Mettalica guitar tone for “Sad but true”, dialed in for a Fender Mustang LT25 with a Gibson Les Paul Studio. Studio version, Metallica (The Black Album, 1991) - Main heavy rhythm riff
ESP MX-220 (EMG 81 bridge) into Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC++ (scooped 5-band graphic EQ, Aphex EQF-2 parametric EQs in loop cutting ~1.2kHz) blended with modified Marshall JCM800 and 1960B 4x12 cab with V30s; tuned to D Standard
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 7 |
| Bass | 7 |
| Treble | 7 |
| Reverb | 0 |
| Master | 6 |
01Onboard Noise Gate Block
Built-in Mustang LT25 utility gate to keep palm-muted chugs tight and stop hum
The Mustang LT25's 'Metal 2000' amp model emulates a modern high-gain Mesa/Boogie, delivering the aggressive saturation and natural mid-scoop of Hetfield's Mark IIC++. Since the physical LT25 faceplate has no mid or presence knobs, the mid-scoop is handled natively by the Metal 2000 voicing while setting Bass and Treble to 7 dials in the signature 'V-curve' response. Your Les Paul Studio passive bridge humbucker has plenty of output, but tune down a whole step to D Standard (D-G-C-F-A-D) to get the true crushing weight of the track.
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These settings are for a Fender Mustang LT25. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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