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Harvester of Sorrow — Metallica1 / 2
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Harvester of Sorrow Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Metallica

Metallica · 1980s · metal

studio

Original Recording

Guitar
ESP MX220 'Eet Fuk' (custom Explorer-style, 1987-88, white finish)
Pickups
EMG 81 (bridge), EMG 60 (neck) active humbuckers
Amp
Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (Simul-Class, rackmount, studio recording)
Pickup Position
Neck pickup (EMG 60)

Studio recording, 1988. Guitar: James Hetfield's main ESP MX220 'Eet Fuk' with EMG 81/60 pickups. Amp: Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ head, no confirmed pedal use for clean sections. Clean tones on '...And Justice for All' were typically achieved by rolling down the guitar volume and using the amp's clean channel. No evidence of chorus, delay, or modulation effects on the clean riff section.

Amp Settings

Mids
4.5
Bass
6
Gain
0
Reverb
1
Treble
7
Presence
6

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Tone Character

  • tight and percussive
  • clear and glassy highs
  • slightly compressed
  • articulate cleans
  • minimal warmth
  • no audible breakup
  • active pickup clarity
  • punchy attack
  • no modulation or time-based effects
  • subtle amp reverb

Notes & Caveats

  • ⚠️Gain adjusted to 0 for clean tone
  • ⚠️No direct source gives exact clean amp settings for 'Harvester of Sorrow' riff; settings estimated based on era, amp, and genre.
  • ⚠️No evidence of chorus, delay, or modulation effects in the clean riff section; no pedal use confirmed for clean tone.
  • ⚠️Pickup and amp model confirmed for this era and album, but pickup selector position inferred from typical Metallica clean tones.
  • ⚠️Amp reverb level estimated; Mark IIC+ has reverb but is often set low for Metallica cleans.
  • ⚠️If further isolated stems or official studio notes become available, settings should be updated.
  • ⚠️Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. For 'Harvester of Sorrow,' Metallica used high-gain, scooped-mid tones typical of late-80s thrash, likely with Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ amps. The tone is tight and aggressive with clear attack (high treble/presence), restrained bass for tightness, and minimal reverb for a dry, punchy sound.

Sources