Tone library / No / Seek and destroy

Seek and destroy amp settings — Cort CM15G

The No guitar tone for “Seek and destroy”, dialed in for a Cort CM15G with a Metallica https://youtu.be/FLTchCiC0T0?si=q--ruwF4IOEwygbB. Studio version, Kill 'Em All (1983)

Original rig

Marshall JCM800 2203 head, Gibson Flying V (bridge humbucker), Pro Co Rat distortion pedal

Tight, aggressive thrash rhythm with scooped mids and biting high-end attack
Amp settings — Cort CM15G
CHANNELOverdrive (OD)
GAIN 8 BASS 7 MID 4 TREBLE 7 PRESENCE 0 REVERB 0 MASTER 5
KnobSetting (0–10)
Gain8
Bass7
Mid4
Treble7
Presence0
Reverb0
Master5
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Guitar
PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10
Signal chain

01Pro Co Rat (or similar distortion)

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. The original tone stacked a Rat into the JCM800. Without this pedal, push amp gain to 10 and accept a slightly less defined attack.

Distortion 6 · Filter 4 · Volume 7
Why these settings

The Cort CM15G is a solid-state practice amp with limited gain structure compared to a cranked JCM800. Push gain to 8 (near max) to compensate for the lack of tube saturation. Mids are scooped to 4 to approximate Hetfield's thrash scoop, but not lower — the CM15G already lacks midrange authority. Treble at 7 adds the bite without becoming fizzy. Without a Rat or similar distortion pedal, you will not fully achieve the tight, defined attack of the original; consider a Boss DS-1 or Rat clone as a future purchase.

PRO TIPPalm mute tightly right at the bridge saddles — Hetfield's tone lives in the picking hand. Loose muting = flabby; tight muting against the saddles = that machine-gun chunk.

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These settings are for a Cort CM15G. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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