HeadRush MX5 settings
Escape settings for HeadRush MX5
Metallica · adapted 2 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Metallica "Escape" riff tone on a HeadRush MX5, use the 82 Lead 800 amp model on the lead channel, then set Gain 5.5, Bass 5, Mid 5, Treble 5. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Ibanez AZES40 · updated 2026-10-31
- Amp model
- 82 Lead 800
- Channel
- Lead
- Cab
- 4x12 Closed Back
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
HeadRush MX5 knobs
- Gain
- 5.5
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 5
- Treble
- 5
Amp block
- Drive
- 7
- Master
- 7
- Bass
- 6
- Mid
- 4
- Treble
- 7
- Presence
- 6
Effects chain
- 1overdriveGreen JRC-ODGain 3 · Tone 6 · Level 8
- 2noise gateNoise GateRelease 3 · Threshold 5
- 3distortionBlackOp DistGain 7 · Tone 6 · Level 8
Playing tips
- Use aggressive palm muting for tight articulation.
- Focus on precise picking to maintain clarity in the riff.
- Experiment with dynamics to enhance the percussive quality of the rhythm.
The original rig
What Metallica used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your HeadRush MX5 actually has.
- Guitar
- Gibson Explorer (1984, likely stock pickups for James Hetfield)
- Amp
- Marshall JCM800 2203 (borrowed European model, studio recording)
- Gain
- 7.5
- Bass
- 6
- Mid
- 4
- Treble
- 7.5
- Presence
- 6
- Reverb
- 0
Different guitar or pedals? Get Escape 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 amp model should I use on the HeadRush MX5 for Escape?
Use the 82 Lead 800 (lead channel) with Drive 7, Master 7, Bass 6, Mid 4, Treble 7, Presence 6, followed by Green JRC-OD, Noise Gate, BlackOp Dist.
Which pickup should I use for Escape?
Bridge pickup, with the guitar's tone at 7-8 and volume at 8-9.
What gear did Metallica use on Escape?
Guitar: Gibson Explorer (1984, likely stock pickups for James Hetfield). Amp: Marshall JCM800 2203 (borrowed European model, studio recording).
Will these settings work with my guitar?
These settings were adapted for a Ibanez AZES40. Different pickups change how much gain and treble you need. ToneAdapt adapts the tone to your exact guitar, pickups, amp and pedals.
Popular songs on the HeadRush MX5
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Walk · Pantera
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Raining Blood · Slayer
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Pride and Joy · Stevie Ray Vaughan
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Do I Wanna Know? · Arctic Monkeys
- Highway to Hell · AC/DC
- Killing in the Name · Rage Against the Machine
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.