Marshall DSL40C settings
Fade to Black settings for Marshall DSL40C
Metallica · adapted 2 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Metallica "Fade to Black" riff tone on a Marshall DSL40C, set Gain 7.5, Bass 5.5, Mid 5, Treble 7.5, Presence 6, Resonance 5. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Epiphone Explorer 80s EMG · updated 2026-05-26
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Marshall DSL40C knobs
- Gain
- 7.5
- Bass
- 5.5
- Mid
- 5
- Treble
- 7.5
- Presence
- 6
- Resonance
- 5
- Reverb
- 0.5
- Tone shift
- 0
Built-in effects
- Reverb on (spring) · 2
Playing tips
- Use aggressive palm muting to achieve a tight, percussive rhythm.
- Pick with a strong attack to maintain clear note separation.
- Dial in the amp's built-in reverb for added depth without overwhelming the crunch tone.
Solo settings
Adapted for a Epiphone Les Paul Custom · updated 2026-05-26
- Pickup
- Neck pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Marshall DSL40C knobs
- Gain
- 8
- Bass
- 6
- Mid
- 5
- Treble
- 7
- Presence
- 6
- Resonance
- 6
- Reverb
- 1.5
- Tone shift
- 0
Built-in effects
- Reverb on (spring) · 3
Playing tips
- Use your amp's built-in reverb set to a low level for added depth.
- Engage the tone shift control to scoop the mids slightly for a more modern feel.
- Consider using the neck pickup volume to fine-tune your sustain and warmth.
The original rig
What Metallica used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Marshall DSL40C 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 DSL40C settings for Fade to Black?
Set Gain 7.5, Bass 5.5, Mid 5, Treble 7.5, Presence 6, Resonance 5.
Which pickup should I use for Fade to Black?
Bridge 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 DSL40C
All Metallica tones →Popular songs on the Marshall DSL40C
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Walk · Pantera
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Alive · Pearl Jam
- Man in the Box · Alice in Chains
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Lithium · Nirvana
- Pride and Joy · Stevie Ray Vaughan
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.