Crate GX-15R settings
Fade to Black settings for Crate GX-15R
Metallica · adapted 4 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Metallica "Fade to Black" riff tone on a Crate GX-15R, set Gain 6.5, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6, Reverb 0.5, Reverb Control 2. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
Adapted for a ESP MX-220 · updated 2026-06-25
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Crate GX-15R knobs
- Gain
- 6.5
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 6
- Treble
- 6
- Reverb
- 0.5
- Reverb Control
- 2
- Level (Clean Channel)
- 0
- Gain (Overdrive Channel)
- 5.5
- Level (Overdrive Channel)
- 5
Built-in effects
- Reverb on (spring) · 2
Playing tips
- Use your amp's built-in reverb set to a low level for added depth.
- Focus on aggressive palm muting to achieve a tight, percussive sound.
- Maintain a dynamic picking attack to ensure clear note separation.
Solo settings
Adapted for a Ibanez GRGR131EX-BKF · updated 2026-07-17
- Pickup
- Neck pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Crate GX-15R knobs
- Gain
- 8
- Bass
- 6
- Mid
- 5
- Treble
- 7
- Reverb
- 1.5
- Reverb Control
- 5
- Level (Clean Channel)
- 5
- Gain (Overdrive Channel)
- 5
- Level (Overdrive Channel)
- 5
Built-in effects
- Reverb off
Playing tips
- Use your amp's built-in reverb set to a moderate level to recreate the spacious feel of the original tone.
- Engage the overdrive channel for more saturation and sustain during the solo.
The original rig
What Metallica used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Crate GX-15R 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 Crate GX-15R settings for Fade to Black?
Set Gain 6.5, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6, Reverb 0.5, Reverb Control 2.
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 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.
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 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.