Fender Champion 20 settings
Creeping Death settings for Fender Champion 20
Metallica · adapted 3 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Metallica "Creeping Death" riff tone on a Fender Champion 20, select the 80s British preset, then set Gain 8, Bass 6, Mid 3, Treble 7, Reverb 0. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 10 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Epiphone SG Standard · updated 2026-09-08
- Preset / mode
- 80s British
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 10 · Volume 8-9
Fender Champion 20 knobs
- Gain
- 8
- Bass
- 6
- Mid
- 3
- Treble
- 7
- Reverb
- 0
Playing tips
- Focus on tight palm muting for chugging riffs.
- Use aggressive pick attack to enhance clarity and articulation.
- Maintain a steady percussive rhythm to drive the riff forward.
The original rig
What Metallica used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Fender Champion 20 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 preset should I use on the Fender Champion 20 for Creeping Death?
Start from the 80s British preset, then set Gain 8, Bass 6, Mid 3, Treble 7, Reverb 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 Epiphone SG Standard. 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
More Metallica on the Fender Champion 20
All Metallica tones →Popular songs on the Fender Champion 20
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Walk · Pantera
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Smells Like Teen Spirit · Nirvana
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
- Mr. Brightside · The Killers
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Highway to Hell · AC/DC
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Smoke on the Water · Deep Purple
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.