Boss Katana MKII settings
Fade to Black settings for Boss Katana MKII
Metallica · adapted 2 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Metallica "Fade to Black" riff tone on a Boss Katana MKII, set Gain 7.5, Bass 5, Mid 5, Treble 6, Presence 5, Reverb 1. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Epiphone SG G-400 Pro · updated 2026-05-24
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Boss Katana MKII knobs
- Gain
- 7.5
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 5
- Treble
- 6
- Presence
- 5
- Reverb
- 1
- Contour
- 1
- Solo level
- 0
- Power control
- 2
- Global eq curve
- 1
Built-in effects
- Reverb off
Playing tips
- Use your amp's built-in reverb set to a low level to recreate the spacious feel of the original tone.
- Maintain a consistent picking attack to emphasize the crunch of the riff.
- Experiment with palm muting to tighten up the sound during heavier sections.
Solo settings
Adapted for a ESP LTD MH-10 · updated 2026-05-24
- Pickup
- Neck pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Boss Katana MKII knobs
- Gain
- 8
- Bass
- 6
- Mid
- 5
- Treble
- 7
- Presence
- 6
- Reverb
- 1.5
- Contour
- 1
- Solo level
- 6
- Power control
- 2
- Global eq curve
- 1
Built-in effects
- Reverb off
Playing tips
- Use your amp's built-in reverb set to a low level for added depth.
- Engage the solo boost to ensure your leads cut through the mix.
- Consider using a wah pedal in a cocked position to enhance midrange emphasis.
The original rig
What Metallica used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Boss Katana MKII 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 are the best Boss Katana MKII settings for Fade to Black?
Set Gain 7.5, Bass 5, Mid 5, Treble 6, Presence 5, Reverb 1.
Which pickup should I use for Fade to Black?
Bridge 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 Epiphone SG G-400 Pro. 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
Popular songs on the Boss Katana MKII
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Raining Blood · Slayer
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Rooster · Alice in Chains
- 1979 · The Smashing Pumpkins
- Highway to Hell · AC/DC
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
- Smells Like Teen Spirit · Nirvana
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.