Crate GX-15R settings
Creeping Death settings for Crate GX-15R
Metallica · adapted 2 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Metallica "Creeping Death" riff tone on a Crate GX-15R, set Gain 8, Bass 5, Mid 3, Treble 7, Reverb 0, Reverb Control 0. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 10 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
Adapted for a ESP MX-220 · updated 2026-06-25
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 10 · Volume 8-9
Crate GX-15R knobs
- Gain
- 8
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 3
- Treble
- 7
- Reverb
- 0
- Reverb Control
- 0
- Level (Clean Channel)
- 0
- Gain (Overdrive Channel)
- 8
- Level (Overdrive Channel)
- 6
Playing tips
- Focus on tight palm muting for chugging riffs.
- Use aggressive pick attack to enhance clarity.
- Maintain a steady rhythm for percussive impact.
Solo settings
Adapted for a ESP MX-220 · updated 2026-06-25
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 9 · Volume 10
Crate GX-15R knobs
- Gain
- 8.5
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 6
- Treble
- 7
- Reverb
- 0
- Reverb Control
- 0
- Level (Clean Channel)
- 0
- Gain (Overdrive Channel)
- 8
- Level (Overdrive Channel)
- 6
Playing tips
- Use aggressive picking for clarity on fast alternate picking.
- Incorporate palm muting for tight chugging sections.
- Focus on maintaining sustain during longer notes.
The original rig
What Metallica used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Crate GX-15R 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 are the best Crate GX-15R settings for Creeping Death?
Set Gain 8, Bass 5, Mid 3, Treble 7, Reverb 0, Reverb Control 0.
Which pickup should I use for Creeping Death?
Bridge pickup, with the guitar's tone at 10 and volume at 8-9.
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?
These settings were adapted for a ESP MX-220. 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
More Metallica on the Crate GX-15R
All Metallica tones →Popular songs on the Crate GX-15R
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Floods · Pantera
- This Love · Pantera
- Wheels of Confusion / The Straightener · Black Sabbath
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Papercut · LINKIN PARK
- From the Inside · LINKIN PARK
- 115 · Kevin Sherwood & Elena Siegman
- Pull the Plug · Death
- Genetic Reconstruction · Death
- Thick and Thin · Avenged Sevenfold
- Lithium · 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.