Harley Benton HB-20MFX settings
Ride the Lightning settings for Harley Benton HB-20MFX
Metallica · adapted 2 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Metallica "Ride the Lightning" riff tone on a Harley Benton HB-20MFX, select the SUPER ROCK preset, then set Gain 7.5, Bass 5.5, Mid 5.5, Treble 7.5, Reverb 0, Fx 5. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 8-10 and volume on 10.
Riff settings
Adapted for a HSS Stratocaster · updated 2026-05-10
- Preset / mode
- SUPER ROCK
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 8-10 · Volume 10
Harley Benton HB-20MFX knobs
- Gain
- 7.5
- Bass
- 5.5
- Mid
- 5.5
- Treble
- 7.5
- Reverb
- 0
- Fx
- 5
- Param
- 5
Playing tips
- Focus on tight palm muting for percussive chugs.
- Use aggressive pick attack to enhance articulation.
- Ensure clarity in note separation during fast riffs.
The original rig
What Metallica used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Harley Benton HB-20MFX actually has.
- Guitar
- Gibson Flying V (early 80s, likely 1981-1982 model, used by James Hetfield for rhythm on studio recording)
- Amp
- Marshall JCM800 2203 (borrowed European model, studio recording, 1984)
- Gain
- 7.5
- Bass
- 5.5
- Mid
- 3.5
- Treble
- 7.5
- Presence
- 6
- Reverb
- 0
Different guitar or pedals? Get Ride the Lightning 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 Harley Benton HB-20MFX for Ride the Lightning?
Start from the SUPER ROCK preset, then set Gain 7.5, Bass 5.5, Mid 5.5, Treble 7.5, Reverb 0, Fx 5.
Which pickup should I use for Ride the Lightning?
Bridge pickup, with the guitar's tone at 8-10 and volume at 10.
What gear did Metallica use on Ride the Lightning?
Guitar: Gibson Flying V (early 80s, likely 1981-1982 model, used by James Hetfield for rhythm on studio recording). Amp: Marshall JCM800 2203 (borrowed European model, studio recording, 1984).
Will these settings work with my guitar?
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 guitar, pickups, amp and pedals.
Ride the Lightning on other amps
- Ride the Lightning on Fender Mustang LT25 · 20
- Ride the Lightning on Boss Katana · 10
- Ride the Lightning on Marshall DSL100HR · 4
- Ride the Lightning on Boss Katana 50 Gen 3 · 3
- Ride the Lightning on Marshall MG30FX · 3
- Ride the Lightning on Boss Katana Mini · 3
- Ride the Lightning on Marshall MG15FX · 3
- Ride the Lightning on Fender Frontman 10G · 2
More Metallica on the Harley Benton HB-20MFX
All Metallica tones →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.