TonesMatch
...And Justice for All — Metallica1 / 2
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...And Justice for All Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Metallica

Metallica · 1980s · metal

studio

Original Recording

Guitar
ESP MX220 'EET FUK' Explorer
Pickups
EMG 81 (bridge), EMG 60 (neck) active humbuckers
Amp
Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ Head
Pickup Position
Neck pickup (EMG 60)

Studio recording, 1988. Clean sections likely used the neck pickup (EMG 60) and the Mark IIC+ in a clean setting. No evidence of live rig or alternate gear for clean parts. No evidence of additional preamps or rack effects for clean sections.

Amp Settings

Mids
4
Bass
5.5
Gain
0
Reverb
1
Treble
7
Presence
6

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Tone Character

  • bright and glassy
  • articulate and percussive
  • tight low end
  • minimal warmth
  • clear note separation
  • slightly compressed
  • very dry (minimal reverb)
  • no chorus or modulation
  • active pickup clarity
  • studio direct, not ambient

Notes & Caveats

  • ⚠️Gain adjusted to 0 for clean tone
  • ⚠️No direct source lists exact amp knob settings for the clean section; settings estimated based on typical Mesa Mark IIC+ clean settings for 1980s metal and EMG pickups.
  • ⚠️No evidence of pedals or effects used for clean section; no chorus, delay, or modulation audible in the studio recording.
  • ⚠️All gear and settings refer to the studio recording, not live performances.
  • ⚠️Pickup choice inferred from typical Metallica clean tones and EMG 60 neck pickup clarity.
  • ⚠️Presence and reverb settings are estimated; Mark IIC+ reverb is subtle and likely set low for a dry, precise clean.
  • ⚠️Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Metallica's ...And Justice for All era is known for its extremely tight, dry, and scooped rhythm tone using Mesa/Boogie amps with high gain, low mids, and bright, cutting treble/presence. The production is famously dry with no audible reverb, and the bass is tight but not boomy to keep the guitars articulate in the mix.

Sources