Line 6 Spider IV 75 settings
Sad But True settings for Line 6 Spider IV 75
Metallica · adapted 2 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Metallica "Sad But True" solo tone on a Line 6 Spider IV 75, select the Metal Green preset, then set Gain 8.5, Drive 6, Bass 5, Mid 3, Treble 7, Reverb 0. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 8-9 and volume on 8-9.
Solo settings
Adapted for a Squier Bullet Mustang HH · updated 2026-10-07
- Preset / mode
- Metal Green
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 8-9 · Volume 8-9
Line 6 Spider IV 75 knobs
- Gain
- 8.5
- Drive
- 6
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 3
- Treble
- 7
- Reverb
- 0
- Amp Model
- 10
- Tap Tempo
- 0
- Quick Loop
- 0
- Manual Mode
- 0
- Mod FX Knob
- 0
- Reverb Knob
- 0
- Delay FX Knob
- 0
- Master Volume
- 6
- Channel Volume
- 7
Playing tips
- Use aggressive palm muting for tight, percussive notes.
- Focus on smooth legato playing for sustained notes.
- Experiment with vibrato to enhance the singing quality of the solo.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Epiphone 1984 Explorer EX · updated 2026-09-21
- Preset / mode
- Metal Green
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 10 · Volume 10
Line 6 Spider IV 75 knobs
- Gain
- 8.5
- Drive
- 0
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 1
- Treble
- 6
- Reverb
- 0
- Amp Model
- 12
- Tap Tempo
- 0
- Quick Loop
- 0
- Manual Mode
- 0
- Mod FX Knob
- 0
- Reverb Knob
- 0
- Delay FX Knob
- 0
- Master Volume
- 5
- Channel Volume
- 5
Playing tips
- Focus on tight palm muting for chugging riffs.
- Use aggressive picking to enhance the attack of each note.
- Maintain a steady rhythm to keep the percussive feel.
The original rig
What Metallica used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Line 6 Spider IV 75 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 Spider IV 75 for Sad But True?
Start from the Metal Green preset, then set Gain 8.5, Drive 6, Bass 5, Mid 3, Treble 7, Reverb 0.
Which pickup should I use for Sad But True?
Bridge pickup, with the guitar's tone at 8-9 and volume at 8-9.
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 Squier Bullet Mustang HH. 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
More Metallica on the Line 6 Spider IV 75
All Metallica tones →Popular songs on the Line 6 Spider IV 75
- Walk · Pantera
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Iron Man · Black Sabbath
- Santeria · Sublime
- Smoke on the Water · Deep Purple
- Paranoid Android · Radiohead
- Cassie · Flyleaf
- Smells Like Teen Spirit · Nirvana
- Heart-Shaped Box · Nirvana
- Rooster · Alice in Chains
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.