Marshall DSL40CR settings
Fade to Black settings for Marshall DSL40CR
Metallica · adapted 5 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Metallica "Fade to Black" solo tone on a Marshall DSL40CR, 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 Jackson Pro Series Signature Phil Demmel Demmelition Fury PDT · updated 2026-09-04
- Pickup
- Neck pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Marshall DSL40CR 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 to maintain midrange presence during the solo.
- Ensure the neck volume is set high to maximize output and sustain.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Gibson SG Standard Gold Series Limited Edition · updated 2026-07-01
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Marshall DSL40CR 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 emphasize the percussive attack.
- Maintain a tight picking hand for clear note separation.
- Engage your amp's built-in reverb to recreate the spacious feel of the original tone.
The original rig
What Metallica used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Marshall DSL40CR 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 DSL40CR 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 Jackson Pro Series Signature Phil Demmel Demmelition Fury PDT. 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
More Metallica on the Marshall DSL40CR
All Metallica tones →Popular songs on the Marshall DSL40CR
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Highway to Hell · AC/DC
- Walk · Pantera
- Welcome To The Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Iron Man · Black Sabbath
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Smells Like Teen Spirit · Nirvana
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
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.