Marshall DSL20CR settings
Fade to Black settings for Marshall DSL20CR
Metallica · adapted 2 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Metallica "Fade to Black" solo tone on a Marshall DSL20CR, set Gain 8, Bass 6, Mid 5, Treble 7, Presence 6, Resonance 6. Use the neck pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Solo settings
Adapted for a Epiphone Explorer 80s EMG · updated 2026-08-03
- Pickup
- Neck pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Marshall DSL20CR knobs
- Gain
- 8
- Bass
- 6
- Mid
- 5
- Treble
- 7
- Presence
- 6
- Resonance
- 6
- Reverb
- 1.5
- Tone shift
- 0
- Output mode
- 2
- Ultra gain volume
- 7
- Classic gain volume
- 0
Built-in effects
- Reverb on (spring) · 3
Playing tips
- Use your amp's built-in reverb set to a low level to add depth to the solo.
- Engage the resonance control to enhance low-end punch for a fuller sound.
- Maintain a steady picking hand for smooth, sustained notes.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Epiphone Explorer 80s EMG · updated 2026-08-03
- Pickup
- Neck pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 7-8
Marshall DSL20CR knobs
- Gain
- 1
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 4
- Treble
- 7
- Presence
- 4
- Resonance
- 4
- Reverb
- 1.5
- Tone shift
- 0
- Output mode
- 2
- Ultra gain volume
- 0
- Classic gain volume
- 6
Built-in effects
- Reverb on (spring) · 3
Playing tips
- Use your amp's built-in reverb set to a moderate level to recreate the spacious feel of the original tone.
- Play with a light touch to maintain the dynamic, touch-sensitive response characteristic of the original tone.
- Focus on clean chord voicings to achieve the rich, articulate sound.
The original rig
What Metallica used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Marshall DSL20CR actually has.
- Guitar
- Gibson Flying V (black, 1979 model, stock pickups)
- Amp
- Marshall JCM800 (likely 2203 or 2204 head, 1980s, with 4x12 cab)
- Gain
- 8
- Bass
- 6.5
- Mid
- 5
- Treble
- 7.5
- Presence
- 6
- Reverb
- 1.5
Different guitar or pedals? Get Fade to Black 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 are the best Marshall DSL20CR settings for Fade to Black?
Set Gain 8, Bass 6, Mid 5, Treble 7, Presence 6, Resonance 6.
Which pickup should I use for Fade to Black?
Neck pickup, with the guitar's tone at 7-8 and volume at 8-9.
What gear did Metallica use on Fade to Black?
Guitar: Gibson Flying V (black, 1979 model, stock pickups). Amp: Marshall JCM800 (likely 2203 or 2204 head, 1980s, with 4x12 cab).
Will these settings work with my guitar?
These settings were adapted for a Epiphone Explorer 80s EMG. Different pickups change how much gain and treble you need. ToneAdapt adapts the tone to your exact guitar, pickups, amp and pedals.
Fade to Black on other amps
- Fade to Black on Fender Mustang LT25 · 24
- Fade to Black on Boss Katana · 22
- Fade to Black on Boss Katana 50 Gen 3 · 7
- Fade to Black on Marshall DSL40CR · 5
- Fade to Black on Fender Frontman 10G · 4
- Fade to Black on Fender Champion II 25 · 4
- Fade to Black on Fender Mustang LT50 · 4
- Fade to Black on Marshall MG30FX · 4
More Metallica on the Marshall DSL20CR
All Metallica tones →Popular songs on the Marshall DSL20CR
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Walk · Pantera
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
- Layla · Derek and the Dominos
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Crossroads · Cream
- Heart-Shaped Box · Nirvana
- No More Tears · Ozzy Osbourne
- Paranoid · Black Sabbath
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Highway to Hell · AC/DC
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.