Marshall MG30CFX settings
Ride the Lightning settings for Marshall MG30CFX
Metallica · adapted 2 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Metallica "Ride the Lightning" riff tone on a Marshall MG30CFX, set Gain 7.5, Volume 7, Master 6, Bass 5.5, Mid 4.5, Treble 7.5. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 8-10 and volume on 10.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Jackson Rhoads JS32T FSR · updated 2026-08-06
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 8-10 · Volume 10
Marshall MG30CFX knobs
- Gain
- 7.5
- Volume
- 7
- Master
- 6
- Bass
- 5.5
- Mid
- 4.5
- Treble
- 7.5
- Reverb
- 0
- Tap
- 0
- Store
- 0
- Contour
- 3
- Fx type level
- 0
Playing tips
- Use palm muting for a tighter sound on the lower strings.
- Focus on aggressive picking to achieve a punchy attack.
- Maintain consistent rhythm to capture the driving force of the riff.
The original rig
What Metallica used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Marshall MG30CFX 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 MG30CFX settings for Ride the Lightning?
Set Gain 7.5, Volume 7, Master 6, Bass 5.5, Mid 4.5, Treble 7.5.
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 Jackson Rhoads JS32T FSR. 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 MG30CFX
All Metallica tones →Popular songs on the Marshall MG30CFX
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Heart-Shaped Box · Nirvana
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
- Layla · Derek & The Dominos
- Welcome To The Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Black Hole Sun · Soundgarden
- Killing in the Name · Rage Against the Machine
- Smells Like Teen Spirit · Nirvana
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.