Crate GX-15R settings
The Thing That Should Not Be settings for Crate GX-15R
Metallica · adapted 3 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Metallica "The Thing That Should Not Be" riff tone on a Crate GX-15R, set Gain 8.5, Bass 5, Mid 2, Treble 7, Reverb 0, Reverb Control 0. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 10 and volume on 10.
Riff settings
Adapted for a ESP MX-220 · updated 2026-06-25
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 10 · Volume 10
Crate GX-15R knobs
- Gain
- 8.5
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 2
- Treble
- 7
- Reverb
- 0
- Reverb Control
- 0
- Level (Clean Channel)
- 0
- Gain (Overdrive Channel)
- 7
- Level (Overdrive Channel)
- 5
Playing tips
- Focus on tight palm muting for chugging riffs.
- Use aggressive pick attack to enhance percussive sound.
- Maintain a steady rhythm to keep the chugging tight and punchy.
Solo settings
Adapted for a ESP MX-220 · updated 2026-06-25
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 8 · Volume 10
Crate GX-15R knobs
- Gain
- 8.5
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 1
- Treble
- 6
- Reverb
- 0.5
- Reverb Control
- 5
- Level (Clean Channel)
- 5
- Gain (Overdrive Channel)
- 5
- Level (Overdrive Channel)
- 7
Built-in effects
- Reverb on (spring) · 2
Playing tips
- Use the bridge pickup for a bright, aggressive tone.
- Experiment with your amp's reverb to add depth to your solos.
- Maintain a tight picking attack for articulate note separation.
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 MX-220 (black finish)
- Amp
- Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC++
- Gain
- 8.5
- Bass
- 5.5
- Mid
- 2.5
- Treble
- 7
- Presence
- 5.5
- Reverb
- 0
Different guitar or pedals? Get The Thing That Should Not Be 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 The Thing That Should Not Be?
Set Gain 8.5, Bass 5, Mid 2, Treble 7, Reverb 0, Reverb Control 0.
Which pickup should I use for The Thing That Should Not Be?
Bridge pickup, with the guitar's tone at 10 and volume at 10.
What gear did Metallica use on The Thing That Should Not Be?
Guitar: ESP MX-220 (black finish). Amp: Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC++.
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.