Boss Katana settings
Fade to Black settings for Boss Katana
Metallica · adapted 22 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Metallica "Fade to Black" solo tone on a Boss Katana, set Gain 8, Bass 6, Mid 5, Treble 7, Reverb 1.5, Fx 0. Use the neck pickup with your guitar's tone on 10 and volume on 8-9.
Solo settings
Adapted for a ESP LTD Snakebyte James Hetfield Signature Electric Guitar - Snow White · updated 2026-10-31
- Pickup
- Neck pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 10 · Volume 8-9
Boss Katana knobs
- Gain
- 8
- Bass
- 6
- Mid
- 5
- Treble
- 7
- Reverb
- 1.5
- Fx
- 0
- Bst
- 5
- Power control
- 2
Built-in effects
- Reverb on (Spring) · 1.5
Playing tips
- Use your amp's built-in reverb set to a low level for added depth.
- Consider using the neck pickup for a warmer, smoother lead tone.
- Engage the booster for a volume lift during the solo to cut through the mix.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Ibanez GIO GRX70QA · updated 2026-10-16
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Boss Katana knobs
- Gain
- 7.5
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 5
- Treble
- 7
- Reverb
- 0.5
- Fx
- 0
- Bst
- 0
- Power control
- 2
Built-in effects
- Reverb on (Spring) · 0.5
Playing tips
- Use aggressive palm muting to achieve a tight and percussive rhythm.
- Focus on clear note separation while playing the riff.
- Maintain a dynamic picking attack to capture the articulate nature of the tone.
The original rig
What Metallica used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Boss Katana 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 settings for Fade to Black?
Set Gain 8, Bass 6, Mid 5, Treble 7, Reverb 1.5, Fx 0.
Which pickup should I use for Fade to Black?
Neck pickup, with the guitar's tone at 10 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 Snakebyte James Hetfield Signature Electric Guitar - Snow White. 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
More Metallica on the Boss Katana
All Metallica tones →Popular songs on the Boss Katana
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Walk · Pantera
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Raining Blood · Slayer
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Smells Like Teen Spirit · Nirvana
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
- Highway to Hell · AC/DC
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.