Positive Grid Spark settings
Sad But True settings for Positive Grid Spark
Metallica · adapted 2 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Metallica "Sad But True" riff tone on a Positive Grid Spark, select the Modern High Gain preset, then set Gain 8.5, Bass 5, Mid 1, Treble 6, Presence 5, Reverb 0. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 10 and volume on 10.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Ibanez GIO GRX70QA · updated 2026-06-06
- Preset / mode
- Modern High Gain
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 10 · Volume 10
Positive Grid Spark knobs
- Gain
- 8.5
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 1
- Treble
- 6
- Presence
- 5
- Reverb
- 0
Playing tips
- Focus on tight palm muting for chugging riffs.
- Use aggressive picking to enhance the percussive attack.
- Layer rhythm parts for a thicker sound.
The original rig
What Metallica used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Positive Grid Spark actually has.
- Guitar
- ESP MX-220 (black finish)
- Amp
- Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC++
- Gain
- 8.5
- Bass
- 4
- Mid
- 1.5
- Treble
- 6
- Presence
- 4.5
- Reverb
- 0
Different guitar or pedals? Get Sad But True 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 for Sad But True?
Start from the Modern High Gain preset, then set Gain 8.5, Bass 5, Mid 1, Treble 6, Presence 5, Reverb 0.
Which pickup should I use for Sad But True?
Bridge pickup, with the guitar's tone at 10 and volume at 10.
What gear did Metallica use on Sad But True?
Guitar: ESP MX-220 (black finish). Amp: Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC++.
Will these settings work with my guitar?
These settings were adapted for a Ibanez GIO GRX70QA. Different pickups change how much gain and treble you need. ToneAdapt adapts the tone to your exact guitar, pickups, amp and pedals.
Sad But True on other amps
More Metallica on the Positive Grid Spark
All Metallica tones →Popular songs on the Positive Grid Spark
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Walk · Pantera
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Raining Blood · Slayer
- Highway to Hell · AC/DC
- Pride and Joy · Stevie Ray Vaughan
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
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.