Yamaha GA15 settings
To Live Is to Die settings for Yamaha GA15
Metallica · adapted 2 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Metallica "To Live Is to Die" riff tone on a Yamaha GA15, set Bass 6, Mid 4, Treble 7, Drive gain 0, Clean volume 5, Drive volume 0. Use the neck pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Yamaha EG 112C · updated 2026-10-10
- Pickup
- Neck pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Yamaha GA15 knobs
- Bass
- 6
- Mid
- 4
- Treble
- 7
- Drive gain
- 0
- Clean volume
- 5
- Drive volume
- 0
- Drive clean switch
- 0
Built-in effects
- Reverb off
Playing tips
- Use a gentle attack with the pick for a smooth, clean tone.
- Focus on clear note separation to maintain articulation.
- Avoid palm muting to preserve the clarity of the clean riff.
The original rig
What Metallica used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Yamaha GA15 actually has.
- Guitar
- ESP MX-220 (black finish)
- Amp
- Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC++
- Gain
- 9
- Bass
- 3.5
- Mid
- 1.5
- Treble
- 6
- Presence
- 4.5
- Reverb
- 0
Different guitar or pedals? Get To Live Is to Die 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 Yamaha GA15 settings for To Live Is to Die?
Set Bass 6, Mid 4, Treble 7, Drive gain 0, Clean volume 5, Drive volume 0.
Which pickup should I use for To Live Is to Die?
Neck pickup, with the guitar's tone at 7-8 and volume at 8-9.
What gear did Metallica use on To Live Is to Die?
Guitar: ESP MX-220 (black finish). Amp: Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC++.
Will these settings work with my guitar?
These settings were adapted for a Yamaha EG 112C. Different pickups change how much gain and treble you need. ToneAdapt adapts the tone to your exact guitar, pickups, amp and pedals.
To Live Is to Die on other amps
Popular songs on the Yamaha GA15
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Smells Like Teen Spirit · Nirvana
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Walk · Pantera
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Highway to Hell · AC/DC
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Creep · Radiohead
- Iris · Goo Goo Dolls
- 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.