Line 6 Catalyst 100 settings
Sad But True settings for Line 6 Catalyst 100
Metallica · adapted 2 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Metallica "Sad But True" riff tone on a Line 6 Catalyst 100, select the HI-GAIN preset, then set Gain 8.5, Bass 5, Mid 1, Treble 6, Presence 5, Reverb 0. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 10 and volume on 10.
Riff settings
Adapted for a ESP LTD EX-200 · updated 2026-06-10
- Preset / mode
- HI-GAIN
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 10 · Volume 10
Line 6 Catalyst 100 knobs
- Gain
- 8.5
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 1
- Treble
- 6
- Presence
- 5
- Reverb
- 0
- Boost
- 0
- Mid knob
- 5
- Bass knob
- 5
- Gain knob
- 5
- Tap tuner
- 0
- Ch a button
- 0
- Ch b button
- 0
- Treble knob
- 5
- Amp selector
- 0
- Manual button
- 0
- Presence knob
- 5
- Channel volume
- 7
- Effect level knob
- 0
- Reverb level knob
- 0
- Master volume knob
- 0
Playing tips
- Focus on tight palm muting for chugging sections.
- Use aggressive picking to enhance attack and percussive rhythm.
- Layer multiple guitar tracks for a thicker sound.
The original rig
What Metallica used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Line 6 Catalyst 100 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 Line 6 Catalyst 100 for Sad But True?
Start from the HI-GAIN preset, then set Gain 8.5, Bass 5, Mid 1, Treble 6, Presence 5, 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 ESP LTD EX-200. 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
Popular songs on the Line 6 Catalyst 100
- Walk · Pantera
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Raining Blood · Slayer
- Rooster · Alice in Chains
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
- One Step Closer · LINKIN PARK
- Sultans of Swing · Dire Straits
- Take Me Out · Franz Ferdinand
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.