Marshall DSL20CR settings
Ride the Lightning settings for Marshall DSL20CR
Metallica · adapted 2 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Metallica "Ride the Lightning" riff tone on a Marshall DSL20CR, set Gain 7.5, Bass 5, Mid 3.5, Treble 7.5, Presence 6, Resonance 6. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 8-10 and volume on 10.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Epiphone Explorer 80s EMG · updated 2026-08-03
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 8-10 · Volume 10
Marshall DSL20CR knobs
- Gain
- 7.5
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 3.5
- Treble
- 7.5
- Presence
- 6
- Resonance
- 6
- Reverb
- 0
- Tone shift
- 0
- Output mode
- 2
- Ultra gain volume
- 6
- Classic gain volume
- 0
Playing tips
- Focus on tight palm muting for chugging riffs.
- Use aggressive pick attack to enhance articulation.
- Maintain consistent picking speed for rhythmic precision.
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 (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 are the best Marshall DSL20CR settings for Ride the Lightning?
Set Gain 7.5, Bass 5, Mid 3.5, Treble 7.5, Presence 6, Resonance 6.
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 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.
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
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.