Marshall MG30FX settings
For Whom the Bell Tolls settings for Marshall MG30FX
Metallica · adapted 2 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Metallica "For Whom the Bell Tolls" riff tone on a Marshall MG30FX, set Gain 7.5, Bass 5, Mid 4, Treble 6, Reverb 0. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Squier Stratocaster · updated 2026-08-28
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 8 · Volume 8-9
Marshall MG30FX knobs
- Gain
- 7.5
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 4
- Treble
- 6
- Reverb
- 0
Playing tips
- Use aggressive palm muting for tight rhythm.
- Focus on precise picking for articulate note separation.
- Maintain a steady hand position for consistent attack.
The original rig
What Metallica used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Marshall MG30FX actually has.
- Guitar
- Gibson Explorer (likely 1984 model, stock pickups at time of recording)
- Amp
- Marshall JMP 2203 (modified, 100W head, used in studio for Ride the Lightning 1984)
- Gain
- 7.5
- Bass
- 6
- Mid
- 4.5
- Treble
- 7
- Presence
- 6
- Reverb
- 0
Different guitar or pedals? Get For Whom the Bell Tolls 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 MG30FX settings for For Whom the Bell Tolls?
Set Gain 7.5, Bass 5, Mid 4, Treble 6, Reverb 0.
Which pickup should I use for For Whom the Bell Tolls?
Bridge pickup, with the guitar's tone at 8 and volume at 8-9.
What gear did Metallica use on For Whom the Bell Tolls?
Guitar: Gibson Explorer (likely 1984 model, stock pickups at time of recording). Amp: Marshall JMP 2203 (modified, 100W head, used in studio for Ride the Lightning 1984).
Will these settings work with my guitar?
These settings were adapted for a Squier Stratocaster. Different pickups change how much gain and treble you need. ToneAdapt adapts the tone to your exact guitar, pickups, amp and pedals.
For Whom the Bell Tolls on other amps
- For Whom the Bell Tolls on Amp · 65
- For Whom the Bell Tolls on Fender Rumble 25 · 54
- For Whom the Bell Tolls on 15W Bass Combo Amplifier by Gear4music · 39
- For Whom the Bell Tolls on Fender Rumble 15 · 37
- For Whom the Bell Tolls on Fender Rumble 40 · 35
- For Whom the Bell Tolls on Fender Rumble 100 · 21
- For Whom the Bell Tolls on Fender Mustang LT25 · 16
- For Whom the Bell Tolls on Fender Rumble LT25 · 12
More Metallica on the Marshall MG30FX
All Metallica tones →Popular songs on the Marshall MG30FX
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Walk · Pantera
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Highway to Hell · AC/DC
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
- Welcome To The Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Raining Blood · Slayer
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- 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.