Line 6 Spider V 20 settings
Sad But True settings for Line 6 Spider V 20
Metallica · adapted 2 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Metallica "Sad But True" riff tone on a Line 6 Spider V 20, select the Cali Rectifier preset, then set Gain 8.5, Bass 5, Mid 1, Treble 6, Reverb 0. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 10 and volume on 10.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Epiphone Explorer · updated 2026-07-28
- Preset / mode
- Cali Rectifier
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 10 · Volume 10
Line 6 Spider V 20 knobs
- Gain
- 8.5
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 1
- Treble
- 6
- Reverb
- 0
Playing tips
- Focus on tight palm muting for chugging riffs.
- Use aggressive picking to enhance the percussive attack.
- Layer rhythm parts for a thicker sound.
Solo settings
Adapted for a Epiphone Explorer · updated 2026-07-28
- Preset / mode
- Cali Rectifier
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 8-9 · Volume 8-9
Line 6 Spider V 20 knobs
- Gain
- 8.5
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 1
- Treble
- 6
- Reverb
- 0
Playing tips
- Use aggressive palm muting for a tight sound.
- Focus on smooth legato techniques for sustained notes.
- Experiment with bends to add expressiveness to the solo.
The original rig
What Metallica used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Line 6 Spider V 20 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 V 20 for Sad But True?
Start from the Cali Rectifier preset, then set Gain 8.5, Bass 5, Mid 1, Treble 6, 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 Epiphone Explorer. 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 V 20
All Metallica tones →Popular songs on the Line 6 Spider V 20
- Walk · Pantera
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Raining Blood · Slayer
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- 1979 · The Smashing Pumpkins
- Welcome To The Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Lithium · Nirvana
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.