AmpliTube 5 MAX settings
Fade to Black settings for AmpliTube 5 MAX
Metallica · adapted 3 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Metallica "Fade to Black" solo tone on a AmpliTube 5 MAX, select the British Lead 800 preset, then set Gain 8, Bass 5.5, Mid 6, Treble 7, Presence 6, Reverb 1.5. Use the neck pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Solo settings
Adapted for a ESP LTD KH-202 · updated 2026-10-01
- Preset / mode
- British Lead 800
- Pickup
- Neck pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
AmpliTube 5 MAX knobs
- Gain
- 8
- Bass
- 5.5
- Mid
- 6
- Treble
- 7
- Presence
- 6
- Reverb
- 1.5
Built-in effects
- Reverb off
Playing tips
- Use your amp's built-in reverb set to a low level for added depth.
- Engage a slight boost in your amp settings to help the solo cut through.
- Consider using a cocked wah effect to emphasize midrange frequencies during the solo.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Epiphone Les Paul · updated 2026-06-02
- Preset / mode
- British Lead 800
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
AmpliTube 5 MAX knobs
- Gain
- 7.5
- Bass
- 5.5
- Mid
- 6
- Treble
- 7.5
- Presence
- 6
- Reverb
- 0.5
Built-in effects
- Reverb on (spring) · 2
Playing tips
- Use aggressive palm muting to achieve the tight and percussive rhythm tone.
- Focus on clear note separation by picking with a precise attack.
- Maintain a dynamic response to your picking for a more expressive performance.
The original rig
What Metallica used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your AmpliTube 5 MAX actually has.
- Guitar
- Gibson Flying V (black, 1979 model, stock pickups)
- Amp
- Marshall JCM800 (likely 2203 or 2204 head, 1980s, with 4x12 cab)
- Gain
- 8
- Bass
- 6.5
- Mid
- 5
- Treble
- 7.5
- Presence
- 6
- Reverb
- 1.5
Different guitar or pedals? Get Fade to Black adapted to your exact rig
These settings were generated for the gear named above. ToneAdapt adapts Metallica's tone to your own guitar, pickups, amp and pedals in seconds.
Frequently asked questions
What preset should I use on the AmpliTube 5 MAX for Fade to Black?
Start from the British Lead 800 preset, then set Gain 8, Bass 5.5, Mid 6, Treble 7, Presence 6, Reverb 1.5.
Which pickup should I use for Fade to Black?
Neck pickup, with the guitar's tone at 7-8 and volume at 8-9.
What gear did Metallica use on Fade to Black?
Guitar: Gibson Flying V (black, 1979 model, stock pickups). Amp: Marshall JCM800 (likely 2203 or 2204 head, 1980s, with 4x12 cab).
Will these settings work with my guitar?
These settings were adapted for a ESP LTD KH-202. Different pickups change how much gain and treble you need. ToneAdapt adapts the tone to your exact guitar, pickups, amp and pedals.
Fade to Black on other amps
- Fade to Black on Fender Mustang LT25 · 24
- Fade to Black on Boss Katana · 22
- Fade to Black on Boss Katana 50 Gen 3 · 7
- Fade to Black on Marshall DSL40CR · 5
- Fade to Black on Fender Frontman 10G · 4
- Fade to Black on Fender Champion II 25 · 4
- Fade to Black on Fender Mustang LT50 · 4
- Fade to Black on Marshall MG30FX · 4
More Metallica on the AmpliTube 5 MAX
All Metallica tones →Popular songs on the AmpliTube 5 MAX
- Walk · Pantera
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Raining Blood · Slayer
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Iron Man · Black Sabbath
- Smells Like Teen Spirit · Nirvana
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
- Pride and Joy · Stevie Ray Vaughan
Settings are generated by ToneAdapt's tone adaptation for the gear named on this page and are a starting point — every amp, guitar and room is a little different.