Fender Mustang LT25 settings
Sad But True settings for Fender Mustang LT25
Metallica · adapted 8 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Metallica "Sad But True" riff tone on a Fender Mustang LT25, select the THRASH OVERKILL preset, then set Gain 8.5, Volume 7, Master 5, Bass 5, Treble 7, Reverb 0. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 10 and volume on 10.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Ibanez GIO GRX70QA · updated 2026-10-24
- Preset / mode
- THRASH OVERKILL
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 10 · Volume 10
Fender Mustang LT25 knobs
- Gain
- 8.5
- Volume
- 7
- Master
- 5
- Bass
- 5
- Treble
- 7
- Reverb
- 0
Playing tips
- Focus on tight palm muting for chugging riffs.
- Use aggressive picking to emphasize the percussive rhythm.
- Layer your playing with additional tracks for a fuller sound.
Solo settings
Adapted for a Epiphone Les Paul · updated 2026-09-02
- Preset / mode
- METAL LEAD
- Pickup
- Neck pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 8-9 · Volume 8-9
Fender Mustang LT25 knobs
- Gain
- 7.5
- Bass
- 5
- Treble
- 6
- Reverb
- 0
Playing tips
- Use aggressive picking to achieve a tight attack.
- Incorporate slides and bends for expressive phrases.
- Experiment with palm muting on lower strings for added heaviness.
The original rig
What Metallica used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Fender Mustang LT25 actually has.
- Guitar
- ESP MX-220 (black finish)
- Amp
- Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC++
- Gain
- 8.5
- Bass
- 4
- Mid
- 1.5
- Treble
- 6
- Presence
- 4.5
- Reverb
- 0
Different guitar or pedals? Get Sad But True 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 Mustang LT25 for Sad But True?
Start from the THRASH OVERKILL preset, then set Gain 8.5, Volume 7, Master 5, Bass 5, Treble 7, Reverb 0.
Which pickup should I use for Sad But True?
Bridge pickup, with the guitar's tone at 10 and volume at 10.
What gear did Metallica use on Sad But True?
Guitar: ESP MX-220 (black finish). Amp: Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC++.
Will these settings work with my guitar?
These settings were adapted for a Ibanez GIO GRX70QA. Different pickups change how much gain and treble you need. ToneAdapt adapts the tone to your exact guitar, pickups, amp and pedals.
Sad But True on other amps
More Metallica on the Fender Mustang LT25
All Metallica tones →Popular songs on the Fender Mustang LT25
- Walk · Pantera
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Smells Like Teen Spirit · Nirvana
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Raining Blood · Slayer
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Creep · Radiohead
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.