Harley Benton HB-20MFX settings
Creeping Death settings for Harley Benton HB-20MFX
Metallica · adapted 2 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Metallica "Creeping Death" riff tone on a Harley Benton HB-20MFX, set Gain 0, Bass 6, Mid 5.5, Treble 5. Use the single humbucker (centered, no blend) pickup.
Riff settings
Adapted for a HSS Stratocaster · updated 2026-05-10
- Pickup
- Single humbucker (centered, no blend)
Harley Benton HB-20MFX knobs
- Gain
- 0
- Bass
- 6
- Mid
- 5.5
- Treble
- 5
Playing tips
- Use fingerstyle technique to achieve a warm and full-bodied tone.
- Experiment with finger placement near the neck for a deeper low end.
- Keep your attack consistent to maintain clear note separation.
The original rig
What Metallica used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Harley Benton HB-20MFX actually has.
- Bass
- 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 bass 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 bass, pickups, amp and pedals in seconds.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best Harley Benton HB-20MFX settings for Creeping Death?
Set Gain 0, Bass 6, Mid 5.5, Treble 5.
Which pickup should I use for Creeping Death?
Single humbucker (centered, no blend).
What gear did Metallica use on Creeping Death?
Bass: 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 bass?
These settings were adapted for a HSS Stratocaster. Different pickups change how much gain and treble you need. ToneAdapt adapts the tone to your exact bass, pickups, amp and pedals.
Creeping Death on other amps
- Creeping Death on Boss Katana · 25
- Creeping Death on Fender Mustang LT25 · 18
- Creeping Death on Marshall MG15CFX · 8
- Creeping Death on Boss Katana 50 Gen 3 · 6
- Creeping Death on Marshall MG30FX · 6
- Creeping Death on Boss Katana 50 MkII · 4
- Creeping Death on Fender Champion 20 · 3
- Creeping Death on Fender Mustang LT50 · 3
More Metallica on the Harley Benton HB-20MFX
- Master of Puppets
- Enter Sandman
- The Unforgiven
- Nothing Else Matters
- Ride the Lightning
- Wherever I May Roam
Popular songs on the Harley Benton HB-20MFX
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Walk · Pantera
- Smells Like Teen Spirit · Nirvana
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Iron Man · Black Sabbath
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Raining Blood · Slayer
- Seven Nation Army · The White Stripes
- 1979 · The Smashing Pumpkins
- My Own Summer (Shove It) · Deftones
- R U Mine? · Arctic Monkeys
- Back in Black · AC/DC
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.