Marshall MG30FX settings
The Unforgiven II settings for Marshall MG30FX
Metallica · adapted 2 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Metallica "The Unforgiven II" riff tone on a Marshall MG30FX, set Gain 6.5, Bass 5, Mid 5, Treble 6, Reverb 1. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Ibanez GRG121DX · updated 2026-05-12
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Marshall MG30FX knobs
- Gain
- 6.5
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 5
- Treble
- 6
- Reverb
- 1
Built-in effects
- Reverb on (digital) · 3
Playing tips
- Use your amp's built-in reverb set to a moderate level to replicate the spacious feel of the original tone.
- Play with a percussive attack to maintain clarity and articulation.
- Experiment with dynamics in your picking to achieve the slight breakup on hard strums.
The original rig
What Metallica used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Marshall MG30FX actually has.
- Guitar
- Fender Telecaster B-Bender (mid-90s reissue of 1952, ash body, maple neck, custom B-Bender system)
- Amp
- Mesa/Boogie Strategy 400 Stereo Power Amp (likely paired with Mesa/Boogie preamp, as per Reload era studio rig)
- Gain
- 6.5
- Bass
- 6
- Mid
- 4.5
- Treble
- 6.5
- Presence
- 6
- Reverb
- 2
Different guitar or pedals? Get The Unforgiven II 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 The Unforgiven II?
Set Gain 6.5, Bass 5, Mid 5, Treble 6, Reverb 1.
Which pickup should I use for The Unforgiven II?
Bridge pickup, with the guitar's tone at 7-8 and volume at 8-9.
What gear did Metallica use on The Unforgiven II?
Guitar: Fender Telecaster B-Bender (mid-90s reissue of 1952, ash body, maple neck, custom B-Bender system). Amp: Mesa/Boogie Strategy 400 Stereo Power Amp (likely paired with Mesa/Boogie preamp, as per Reload era studio rig).
Will these settings work with my guitar?
These settings were adapted for a Ibanez GRG121DX. Different pickups change how much gain and treble you need. ToneAdapt adapts the tone to your exact guitar, pickups, amp and pedals.
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.