GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence
72 Seasons Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Metallica
Metallica · 2010s+ · metal
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
ESP Snakebyte (James Hetfield signature, likely custom shop, used for rhythm tracking on 72 Seasons)
Pickups
EMG JH Het Set (active humbuckers, custom for Hetfield: JH-N neck, JH-B bridge)
Amp
Marshall Super Lead 100-Watt Head (late-60s/early-70s, José Arredondo-modded), blended with Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (studio recording)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 2022-2023. Rhythm guitars tracked primarily with the José-modded Marshall Super Lead and Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ in parallel. Wizard 100-watt and Diezel heads also available but not primary for this song's riff. No evidence of pedal distortion; all gain from amps. No evidence of live rig or Axe-Fx for studio album.
Amp Settings
Mids5
Bass6
Gain8
Reverb0
Treble7.5
Presence6.5
Tone Matcher
Match This Tone to Your Gear
Tell us your guitar and amp — we’ll calculate the exact settings translated to your specific rig.
Adapt to MY Gear →7-day free trial · Cancel anytime.
Tone Character
- tight and percussive
- chunky palm-muted chugs
- aggressive midrange
- smooth but saturated distortion
- British-style crunch blended with American high-gain
- articulate pick attack
- focused low end (not boomy)
- wide, modern stereo image
- not abrasive or fizzy
- warm yet punchy
Notes & Caveats
- No direct numeric amp settings for 72 Seasons found in sources; values estimated based on typical Marshall Super Lead and Mark IIC+ settings for modern Metallica rhythm tones and producer/artist interviews.
- No evidence of pedal-based distortion or boost in the studio; all gain from amps.
- No evidence of time-based or modulation effects (delay, chorus, flanger, etc.) on the riff section; Metallica rhythm tones are typically dry.
- Wizard and Diezel amps mentioned as options but not primary for this song's riff.
- Live rig (Axe-Fx, etc.) not relevant for studio recording.
- If new interviews or isolated tracks reveal pedal or effect use, update accordingly.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. The '72 Seasons' riff tone is a modern Metallica sound: tight, high-gain, and aggressive, with scooped mids, controlled bass, bright treble, and a dry, in-your-face mix. These settings reflect James Hetfield's typical Mesa/Diezel amp approach for modern thrash, with minimal reverb and a focus on clarity and punch.