Line 6 Spider V 20 MkII settings
Ride the Lightning settings for Line 6 Spider V 20 MkII
Metallica · adapted 2 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Metallica "Ride the Lightning" riff tone on a Line 6 Spider V 20 MkII, select the Metal preset, then set Gain 7.5, Fx 5, Tone 7. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 8-10 and volume on 10.
Riff settings
Adapted for a LTD Kirk Hammett Signature Series 30th Anniversary KH-3 Spider · updated 2026-10-08
- Preset / mode
- Metal
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 8-10 · Volume 10
Line 6 Spider V 20 MkII knobs
- Gain
- 7.5
- Fx
- 5
- Tone
- 7
Playing tips
- Focus on tight palm muting for chugging sections.
- Use aggressive pick attack to enhance articulation.
- Maintain a steady tempo for tight rhythm playing.
The original rig
What Metallica used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Line 6 Spider V 20 MkII 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 Line 6 Spider V 20 MkII for Ride the Lightning?
Start from the Metal preset, then set Gain 7.5, Fx 5, Tone 7.
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 LTD Kirk Hammett Signature Series 30th Anniversary KH-3 Spider. 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
Popular songs on the Line 6 Spider V 20 MkII
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Walk · Pantera
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Smoke on the Water · Deep Purple
- Smells Like Teen Spirit · Nirvana
- Raining Blood · Slayer
- Fire and Ice · Yngwie Malmsteen
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Symphony of Destruction · Megadeth
- Layla · Derek & The Dominos
- Iron Man · Black Sabbath
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
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.