Creeping Death by Metallica — Amp Settings & Guitar Tone
Reference tone dialed on a Squier Classic Vibe Stratocaster into a Fender Mustang LT25. Settings below are cited from real sources; open the page in a browser for the interactive version, or get this tone dialed for your exact gear.
To capture the aggressive and tight tone of 'Creeping Death,' we'll use the Fender Mustang LT25's modeling capabilities to emulate a high-gain Marshall sound. The Squier Stratocaster will substitute for the Explorer, focusing on the bridge pickup to enhance attack and clarity. We'll use the 'Thrash Overkill' preset as a base and adjust the EQ to achieve the scooped mids characteristic of the recording.
Signal chain settings
Squier Classic Vibe Stratocaster '60s — rhythm guitar
| Control | Setting | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Pickup Selector | Bridge Pickup | Select the bridge pickup for a tighter, more aggressive attack, emulating the Explorer's humbucker character. |
| Master Volume | 8 | Set to 8 to ensure a strong output signal, enhancing the amp's gain response. |
| Tone 1 | Leave at default | Tone 1 controls neck and middle pickups, which are not used for this song. |
| Tone 2 | 7 | Tone 2 controls the bridge pickup — set to 7 to maintain clarity and avoid harshness. |
Fender Mustang LT25 — amplification
| Control | Setting | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Preset | [14] THRASH OVERKILL | This preset provides a high-gain character suitable for thrash metal, closely matching the Marshall JCM800 tone. |
| Gain | 8.5 | Set to 8.5 to achieve high-gain saturation with tight, percussive attack, as evidenced by player settings. |
| Volume | 6 | Set to 6 to balance output without overpowering the mix. |
| Treble | 7.5 | Set to 7.5 to enhance brightness and clarity, compensating for the Strat's single-coil pickups. |
| Bass | 4 | Set to 4 to prevent excessive low-end, maintaining the tightness of the tone. |
| Master | 6 | Output level — set to the volume you're playing at; this sets loudness, not tone. |
| Cabinet build | Not used | Not needed for this tone — leave it off. |
| Amp Models | Not used | Not needed for this tone — leave it off. |
| Effects | Not used | Not needed for this tone — leave it off. |
Section guide — how the tone changes through the song
Intro Riff
The intro riff uses a Mesa/Boogie Mark I amplifier on the recording. We'll approximate this with the Mustang LT25's modeling capabilities.
- the pedal: Gain → 9
What Metallica actually used
Recorded at Sweet Silence Studios in Copenhagen during February–March 1984, 'Creeping Death' features James Hetfield on rhythm guitar and vocals, Kirk Hammett on lead guitar, Cliff Burton on bass, and Lars Ulrich on drums. The recording was produced by Flemming Rasmussen and Metallica.
- Gibson Explorer (1980s) — rhythm guitar. Stock pickups
- Gibson Flying V (mid-1970s) — lead guitar. Used for solo
- Boss SD-1 Super Overdrive — lead guitar boost. Used during solo
- Marshall Super Lead 1959 (late 1970s, modified by Jose Arredondo) — amplification. Used for both rhythm and lead guitars
Tuning: Standard
Sources
- https://www.fender.com/en-US/squier-electric-guitars/stratocaster/classic-vibe-stratocaster-60s/0303010500.html
- https://www.manualslib.com/manual/1547905/Fender-Mustang-Lt25.html
- https://www.fender.com/en-US/guitar-amplifiers/contemporary-digital/mustang-lt25/2311100000.html
- https://www.manualslib.com/manual/3126493/Fender-Mustang-Lt25.html
- https://tonesmatch.com/tones/creeping-death-metallica-riff-distorted-2398
- https://metallica.fandom.com/wiki/Creeping_Death_%28song%29
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ride_the_Lightning