Kirk Hammett Amp Settings
EQ dial positions, gain structure, and how to replicate the sound on any amp
Reference Amp (£1,000 Tier)
Boss Katana 100 MkII
£249
Gain structure: high-gain channel at moderate to high gain
Amp voice: high gain
Suggested Starting Settings
Dial positions are derived from Kirk Hammett's tonal fingerprint. These are starting points — fine-tune by ear on your specific amp.
10
Gain5
Bass5
Mid6
Treble5
Presence2
ReverbAll values on a 0–10 scale. Start here and adjust to room acoustics and your specific amp model.
Choosing the Right Amp
high gainMesa Dual Rectifier, Peavey 5150/6505, ENGL — modern saturation. Use gate to control noise.
Amp at Every Budget
Getting the Most From Your Amp
- Use the amp's own drive channel rather than stacking too many pedals —Kirk Hammett's tone benefits from amp-driven saturation.
- Master volume matters — many classic tones only work at significant volume when tubes are working hard.