Positive Grid Spark 40 settings
Creeping Death settings for Positive Grid Spark 40
Metallica · adapted 2 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Metallica "Creeping Death" riff tone on a Positive Grid Spark 40, select the American High Gain preset, then set Gain 8.5, Bass 5, Mid 2, Treble 7, Reverb 0, Mod 0. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 8-10 and volume on 8-10.
Riff settings
Adapted for a ESP LTD EC-1000 EMG · updated 2026-03-25
- Preset / mode
- American High Gain
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 8-10 · Volume 8-10
Positive Grid Spark 40 knobs
- Gain
- 8.5
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 2
- Treble
- 7
- Reverb
- 0
- Mod
- 0
- Music volume
- 5
- Master volume
- 6
- Output volume
- 6
- Amp type selector
- 0
Playing tips
- Use tight palm muting for chugs to achieve the aggressive attack.
- Focus on fast alternate picking to maintain the percussive rhythm.
- Keep your picking hand close to the bridge for a tighter sound.
The original rig
What Metallica used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Positive Grid Spark 40 actually has.
- Guitar
- ESP MX220 (custom Explorer-style, white finish, 1984)
- Amp
- Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ head into Marshall 4x12 cabinet (studio, 1984)
- Gain
- 8
- Bass
- 5.5
- Mid
- 3
- Treble
- 7
- Presence
- 6
- Reverb
- 0.5
Different guitar or pedals? Get Creeping Death 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 40 for Creeping Death?
Start from the American High Gain preset, then set Gain 8.5, Bass 5, Mid 2, Treble 7, Reverb 0, Mod 0.
Which pickup should I use for Creeping Death?
Bridge pickup, with the guitar's tone at 8-10 and volume at 8-10.
What gear did Metallica use on Creeping Death?
Guitar: ESP MX220 (custom Explorer-style, white finish, 1984). Amp: Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ head into Marshall 4x12 cabinet (studio, 1984).
Will these settings work with my guitar?
These settings were adapted for a ESP LTD EC-1000 EMG. Different pickups change how much gain and treble you need. ToneAdapt adapts the tone to your exact guitar, pickups, amp and pedals.
Creeping Death on other amps
- Creeping Death on Boss Katana · 25
- Creeping Death on Fender Mustang LT25 · 18
- Creeping Death on Marshall MG15CFX · 8
- Creeping Death on Boss Katana 50 Gen 3 · 6
- Creeping Death on Marshall MG30FX · 6
- Creeping Death on Boss Katana 50 MkII · 4
- Creeping Death on Fender Champion 20 · 3
- Creeping Death on Fender Mustang LT50 · 3
Popular songs on the Positive Grid Spark 40
- Walk · Pantera
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Iron Man · Black Sabbath
- Smells Like Teen Spirit · Nirvana
- Raining Blood · Slayer
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Highway to Hell · AC/DC
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.