How to Dial In "Escape" by Metallica - Guitar Tone Settings
What Metallica Actually Used on "Escape"
Original Knob Positions, Pickup, and Tuning
Where to set the knobs for this tone. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale.
These numbers are for a Marshall JCM800 2203. On your amp, they won't sound the same.
Get the settings for my ampHow the artist had their guitar configured for this take.
The most conventional song on Ride the Lightning and the one the band has openly disliked — written under label pressure for something radio-friendly, and not played live in full until 2012. That history is worth knowing because it explains the tone: this is mid-tempo hard rock with a clean intro and a sung chorus rather than thrash, so the setting is less extreme than the rest of the album. E flat standard, like everything on the record. Hetfield is on a Flying V into a JCM800 rather than the Mesa rig that arrives with Master of Puppets. Keep the gain moderate and mids more present than a Justice-era tone; the chords need to ring rather than chug.
Common Questions About the "Escape" Tone
What guitar did Metallica use on "Escape"?
Metallica tracked "Escape" on a Gibson Flying V (released 1984). Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. The track is in E♭ Standard (E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭), so retune before you dial anything in.
What amp settings does "Escape" need?
On Marshall JCM800 2203: Gain 7, Bass 5.5, Mid 5.5, Treble 7.5, Presence 7, Volume 7. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale; match them on your amp first, then nudge to taste. ToneMirror can translate these positions for whatever amp you actually own.
Can I play "Escape" without a Marshall JCM800 2203?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the original recipe above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Escape" tone on a Katana, a Helix, a tube combo, or anything else. The translation accounts for EQ curve, gain structure, and pickup type so the result actually sounds like the record, not just the same knob numbers on different gear.
What pedals are on "Escape"?
The original signal chain for "Escape" runs through Ibanez Tube Screamer TS-9. Whether you own those exact units or close substitutes, ToneMirror maps the pedal voicings onto the pedalboard you actually have.
More Tones You Can Dial In
Tone references for "Escape" by Metallica are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.