Positive Grid Spark 2 settings
Fade to Black settings for Positive Grid Spark 2
Metallica · adapted 2 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Metallica "Fade to Black" riff tone on a Positive Grid Spark 2, select the JCM800 preset, then set Gain 7.5, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 7, Reverb 0.5, Music volume 5. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Spira S-400 · updated 2026-08-07
- Preset / mode
- JCM800
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Positive Grid Spark 2 knobs
- Gain
- 7.5
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 6
- Treble
- 7
- Reverb
- 0.5
- Music volume
- 5
- Guitar volume
- 8
Built-in effects
- Reverb on (spring) · 2
Playing tips
- Use aggressive palm muting to emphasize the tightness of the riff.
- Focus on articulate picking to maintain clear note separation.
- Experiment with picking dynamics to enhance the percussive quality of the tone.
Solo settings
Adapted for a Spira S-400 · updated 2026-08-07
- Preset / mode
- JCM800
- Pickup
- Neck pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Positive Grid Spark 2 knobs
- Gain
- 8
- Bass
- 5.5
- Mid
- 6
- Treble
- 7
- Reverb
- 1.5
- Music volume
- 5
- Guitar volume
- 8
Built-in effects
- Reverb on (spring) · 3
Playing tips
- Use your amp's built-in reverb set to a moderate level to add depth to your solos.
- Consider using a pedal or an EQ to replicate the cocked wah effect for midrange emphasis.
- Play with a smooth touch to achieve the singing sustain characteristic of the original tone.
The original rig
What Metallica used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Positive Grid Spark 2 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 preset should I use on the Positive Grid Spark 2 for Fade to Black?
Start from the JCM800 preset, then set Gain 7.5, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 7, Reverb 0.5, Music volume 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 Spira S-400. 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
Popular songs on the Positive Grid Spark 2
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Walk · Pantera
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Pride and Joy · Stevie Ray Vaughan
- Raining Blood · Slayer
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
- Iron Man · Black Sabbath
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.