Blackstar Core settings
Creeping Death settings for Blackstar Core
Metallica · adapted 2 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Metallica "Creeping Death" riff tone on a Blackstar Core, select the Metal preset, then set Gain 8, Bass 6, Mid 2, Treble 7, Presence 6, Reverb 0. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 10 and volume on 10.
Riff settings
updated 2026-04-13
- Preset / mode
- Metal
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 10 · Volume 10
Blackstar Core knobs
- Gain
- 8
- Bass
- 6
- Mid
- 2
- Treble
- 7
- Presence
- 6
- Reverb
- 0
Playing tips
- Focus on tight palm muting for chugging riffs.
- Use aggressive pick attack to enhance articulation.
- Keep a steady rhythm to maintain the percussive feel.
The original rig
What Metallica used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Blackstar Core actually has.
- Guitar
- ESP MX220 (custom Explorer-style, white finish, 1984)
- Amp
- Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ head into Marshall 4x12 cabinet (studio, 1984)
- Gain
- 8
- Bass
- 5.5
- Mid
- 3
- Treble
- 7
- Presence
- 6
- Reverb
- 0.5
Different guitar or pedals? Get Creeping Death 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 Blackstar Core for Creeping Death?
Start from the Metal preset, then set Gain 8, Bass 6, Mid 2, Treble 7, Presence 6, Reverb 0.
Which pickup should I use for Creeping Death?
Bridge pickup, with the guitar's tone at 10 and volume at 10.
What gear did Metallica use on Creeping Death?
Guitar: ESP MX220 (custom Explorer-style, white finish, 1984). Amp: Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ head into Marshall 4x12 cabinet (studio, 1984).
Will these settings work with my guitar?
Different pickups change how much gain and treble you need. ToneAdapt adapts the tone to your exact guitar, pickups, amp and pedals.
Creeping Death on other amps
- Creeping Death on Boss Katana · 25
- Creeping Death on Fender Mustang LT25 · 18
- Creeping Death on Marshall MG15CFX · 8
- Creeping Death on Boss Katana 50 Gen 3 · 6
- Creeping Death on Marshall MG30FX · 6
- Creeping Death on Boss Katana 50 MkII · 4
- Creeping Death on Fender Champion 20 · 3
- Creeping Death on Fender Mustang LT50 · 3
Popular songs on the Blackstar Core
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Walk · Pantera
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Smells Like Teen Spirit · Nirvana
- Raining Blood · Slayer
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Highway to Hell · AC/DC
- Iron Man · Black Sabbath
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
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.