Crate GX-15R settings
Hit the Lights settings for Crate GX-15R
Metallica · adapted 2 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Metallica "Hit the Lights" riff tone on a Crate GX-15R, set Gain 8, Bass 6, Mid 2.5, Treble 8.5, Reverb 0, Reverb Control 0. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 8-10 and volume on 10.
Riff settings
Adapted for a ESP MX-220 · updated 2026-06-23
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 8-10 · Volume 10
Crate GX-15R knobs
- Gain
- 8
- Bass
- 6
- Mid
- 2.5
- Treble
- 8.5
- Reverb
- 0
- Reverb Control
- 0
- Level (Clean Channel)
- 0
- Gain (Overdrive Channel)
- 8
- Level (Overdrive Channel)
- 7
Playing tips
- Use tight palm muting for chugging riffs.
- Focus on fast downpicking for a percussive attack.
- Maintain a steady rhythm to capture the aggressive feel.
Solo settings
Adapted for a ESP MX-220 · updated 2026-06-25
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 8-10 · Volume 10
Crate GX-15R knobs
- Gain
- 8
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 3.5
- Treble
- 7.5
- Reverb
- 0
- Reverb Control
- 0
- Level (Clean Channel)
- 0
- Gain (Overdrive Channel)
- 8
- Level (Overdrive Channel)
- 6
Playing tips
- Use aggressive pick attack for clarity and articulation.
- Incorporate fast alternate picking for rapid runs.
- Utilize palm muting for tight chugging sections.
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 (white, late 1970s, likely 1979 model)
- Amp
- Marshall JMP 2203 (100W, likely late 1970s/early 1980s, borrowed European Marshall head)
- Gain
- 8
- Bass
- 7
- Mid
- 2.5
- Treble
- 8.5
- Presence
- 6.5
- Reverb
- 0
Different guitar or pedals? Get Hit the Lights 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 Hit the Lights?
Set Gain 8, Bass 6, Mid 2.5, Treble 8.5, Reverb 0, Reverb Control 0.
Which pickup should I use for Hit the Lights?
Bridge pickup, with the guitar's tone at 8-10 and volume at 10.
What gear did Metallica use on Hit the Lights?
Guitar: Gibson Flying V (white, late 1970s, likely 1979 model). Amp: Marshall JMP 2203 (100W, likely late 1970s/early 1980s, borrowed European Marshall head).
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.
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.