Harley Benton HB-20MFX settings
The Unforgiven settings for Harley Benton HB-20MFX
Metallica · adapted 5 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Metallica "The Unforgiven" riff tone on a Harley Benton HB-20MFX, select the Jazz Clean preset, then set Gain 1.5, Bass 5, Mid 4, Treble 7, Reverb 0.5, Fx 5. Use the bridge + middle pickup with your guitar's tone on 8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
Adapted for a HSS Stratocaster · updated 2026-05-10
- Preset / mode
- Jazz Clean
- Pickup
- Bridge + Middle
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 8 · Volume 8-9
Harley Benton HB-20MFX knobs
- Gain
- 1.5
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 4
- Treble
- 7
- Reverb
- 0.5
- Fx
- 5
- Param
- 5
Built-in effects
- Reverb on (spring) · 6
Playing tips
- Use your amp's built-in chorus set to a moderate level to recreate the slight shimmer.
- Adjust the reverb to add spaciousness without overwhelming the clean tone.
- Pick lightly for a tight, percussive attack characteristic of the original riff.
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
- ESP MX220 'Eet Fuk' (James Hetfield's main rhythm guitar on The Black Album)
- Amp
- Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (primary rhythm amp for The Black Album sessions)
- Gain
- 7.5
- Bass
- 6
- Mid
- 4
- Treble
- 7
- Presence
- 6
- Reverb
- 1
Different guitar or pedals? Get The Unforgiven 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 The Unforgiven?
Start from the Jazz Clean preset, then set Gain 1.5, Bass 5, Mid 4, Treble 7, Reverb 0.5, Fx 5.
Which pickup should I use for The Unforgiven?
Bridge + Middle, with the guitar's tone at 8 and volume at 8-9.
What gear did Metallica use on The Unforgiven?
Guitar: ESP MX220 'Eet Fuk' (James Hetfield's main rhythm guitar on The Black Album). Amp: Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (primary rhythm amp for The Black Album sessions).
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.
The Unforgiven on other amps
More Metallica on the Harley Benton HB-20MFX
- Master of Puppets
- Enter Sandman
- Nothing Else Matters
- Ride the Lightning
- Creeping Death
- 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.