Thrash Metal1984Ride the Lightning

Creeping Death Amp Settings

by Metallica

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Original Recording Settings

Well-SourcedResearched tone data for "Creeping Death" by Metallica

Original Gear

Guitar: Gibson Explorer (Hetfield) + black Gibson Flying V (Hammett)
Pickups: Not specified (not specified)
Amplifier: Marshall amps (Ride the Lightning tracking described as Marshall-based)
Channel: Not specified
Tuning: standard
Pickup Selector: not specified

Primary album-era tracking described as Marshall-based; Hammett additionally cites a Boss distortion pedal and TC Electronics EQ for lead tone in Creeping Death context.

Amp Settings

Bass

4.0

Mid

6.0

Treble

6.0

Presence

6.0

Volume

8.0

No exact Marshall knob positions for Creeping Death were retrieved. Values estimated for tight thrash rhythm and cutting lead clarity.

Effects Chain

→

Boss distortion pedal (model not specified)

distortion

→

TC Electronic EQ (model not specified)

→

1.Boss distortion pedal (model not specified) — Hammett cites using a Boss distortion pedal through Marshall amps in Creeping Death context.

2.TC Electronic EQ (model not specified) — Hammett cites using a TC Electronic EQ in Creeping Death context.

Playing Technique

Ultra-tight palm muting and aggressive rhythmic precision; riff definition depends on synchronized downpicking/alternate picking and clean muting between chord stabs.

Sources+

Guitar World (Prime Cuts; published online Aug 3, 2020): cites Hetfield using a Gibson Explorer by the Ride the Lightning era and Hammett’s Boss distortion + TC Electronic EQ through Marshall amps for Creeping Death context.
MusicRadar (Flemming Rasmussen feature; published May 1, 2025): documents Ride the Lightning tracking context (stolen modified Marshall; many Marshall stacks auditioned).