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

Metallica · 1980s · metal

studio

Original Recording

Guitar
ESP M-II (custom, early 80s, likely black finish, with EMG pickups)
Pickups
EMG 81 (bridge, active humbucker)
Amp
Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ head into Marshall 4x12 cabinet (studio recording, 1988)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup

Studio recording for '...And Justice for All' (1988). Kirk Hammett used his ESP M-II with EMG 81 active pickups for solos. The amp was a Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ head, which was the core of Metallica's tone on this album. Marshall cabs were used for tracking. No evidence of live rig or other guitars for this solo section.

Amp Settings

Mids
3.5
Bass
6
Gain
8.5
Reverb
0
Treble
7.5
Presence
6

Effects Chain

  • Dunlop Cry Baby Wah · wah
  • Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer · overdrive
  • Delay pedal (model unknown) · delay

ESP M-II (EMG 81 bridge) → Dunlop Cry Baby Wah → Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer → Delay pedal (model unknown) → Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ head → Marshall 4x12 cab

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Tone Character

  • tight and percussive
  • scooped mids
  • singing sustain
  • aggressive palm muting
  • razor-sharp articulation
  • high-gain saturation
  • cutting treble presence
  • fast alternate picking clarity
  • fluid legato runs
  • controlled feedback

Notes & Caveats

  • ⚠️No official published knob settings for the studio solo section; settings estimated based on typical Mark IIC+ usage for Metallica in this era and forum consensus.
  • ⚠️No direct photo or interview confirmation of pedal settings for this solo; pedal choices based on era-correct gear and audible effects.
  • ⚠️No evidence of amp reverb or built-in effects used; Metallica typically tracked dry and added effects in post if needed.
  • ⚠️No evidence of chorus, flanger, or phaser in this solo; only wah and possible light delay are audible.
  • ⚠️Some sources mention Ibanez Tube Screamer and wah for solos, but not all confirm for this specific track.
  • ⚠️Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Kirk Hammett's solo tone on '...And Justice for All' is classic late-80s Metallica: high gain, scooped mids, tight bass, and bright treble/presence for cut. The album's famously dry, clinical production means no reverb, and these settings reflect the Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ amps and genre conventions of the era.

Sources