Marshall Code 50 settings
Nothing Else Matters settings for Marshall Code 50
Metallica · adapted 2 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Metallica "Nothing Else Matters" riff tone on a Marshall Code 50, select the JVM Clean flange preset, then set Gain 1.5, Bass 5, Mid 5, Treble 6, Reverb 1.5. Use the neck pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Ibanez Gio · updated 2026-09-30
- Preset / mode
- JVM Clean flange
- Pickup
- Neck pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Marshall Code 50 knobs
- Gain
- 1.5
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 5
- Treble
- 6
- Reverb
- 1.5
Built-in effects
- Reverb off
Playing tips
- Use your amp's built-in reverb set to a moderate level to recreate the spacious feel of the original tone.
- Engage the chorus effect on your amp to add depth and warmth to your clean tone.
- Play with a soft touch to maintain the warm and round character of the clean sound.
Solo settings
Adapted for a Epiphone SG Standard · updated 2026-10-03
- Pickup
- Neck pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 8 · Volume 8-9
Marshall Code 50 knobs
- Gain
- 6.5
- Volume
- 7
- Master
- 5
- Bass
- 5.5
- Mid
- 6.5
- Treble
- 7.5
- Reverb
- 0.5
Built-in effects
- Reverb on (spring) · 4
Playing tips
- Use your amp's built-in reverb set to a moderate level to recreate the spacious feel of the original tone.
- Maintain a smooth, melodic approach to your lead lines for a singing sustain.
- Focus on tight articulation in your playing to match the high-gain saturation.
The original rig
What Metallica used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Marshall Code 50 actually has.
- Guitar
- ESP KH-2 (Kirk Hammett Signature, 1991 era)
- Amp
- Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (studio recording, 1991)
- Gain
- 6.5
- Bass
- 5.5
- Mid
- 5.5
- Treble
- 7.5
- Presence
- 6.5
- Reverb
- 2.5
Different guitar or pedals? Get Nothing Else Matters 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 Marshall Code 50 for Nothing Else Matters?
Start from the JVM Clean flange preset, then set Gain 1.5, Bass 5, Mid 5, Treble 6, Reverb 1.5.
Which pickup should I use for Nothing Else Matters?
Neck pickup, with the guitar's tone at 7-8 and volume at 8-9.
What gear did Metallica use on Nothing Else Matters?
Guitar: ESP KH-2 (Kirk Hammett Signature, 1991 era). Amp: Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (studio recording, 1991).
Will these settings work with my guitar?
These settings were adapted for a Ibanez Gio. Different pickups change how much gain and treble you need. ToneAdapt adapts the tone to your exact guitar, pickups, amp and pedals.
Nothing Else Matters on other amps
- Nothing Else Matters on Fender Mustang LT25 · 13
- Nothing Else Matters on Boss Katana · 6
- Nothing Else Matters on Marshall CODE 25 · 5
- Nothing Else Matters on Harley Benton HB-20MFX · 4
- Nothing Else Matters on Roland Jazz Chorus JC-40 · 4
- Nothing Else Matters on Fender Frontman 10G · 3
- Nothing Else Matters on Yamaha THR30II Wireless · 3
- Nothing Else Matters on AmpliTube 5 MAX · 3
More Metallica on the Marshall Code 50
All Metallica tones →Popular songs on the Marshall Code 50
- Walk · Pantera
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Highway to Hell · AC/DC
- Smells Like Teen Spirit · Nirvana
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
- Raining Blood · Slayer
- Man in the Box · 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.