GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence
Hit the Lights Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Metallica
Metallica · 1980s · metal
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Gibson Flying V (white, late 1970s, likely 1979 model)
Pickups
Stock Gibson humbuckers (late 70s/early 80s, likely T-Top or Dirty Fingers)
Amp
Marshall JMP 2203 (100W, likely late 1970s/early 1980s, borrowed European Marshall head)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1982-1983, for the Kill 'Em All album. James Hetfield played rhythm on his white Flying V through a borrowed Marshall JMP 2203 head and Marshall 4x12 cab. No evidence of pedals or effects on the riff section; distortion is amp-based. Pickup is bridge. No EMGs or Mesa/Boogie amps were used on this album. No evidence of outboard effects or pedals for the riff section.
Amp Settings
Mids2.5
Bass7
Gain8
Reverb0
Treble8.5
Presence6.5
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Tone Character
- tight and percussive
- scooped mids
- aggressive palm muting
- high-gain saturation
- bright and biting treble
- dry, raw rhythm sound
- razor-sharp pick attack
- no ambience or reverb
- fast, articulate response
- classic Marshall crunch
Notes & Caveats
- No direct studio documentation of exact knob settings for 'Hit the Lights' riff section; amp settings are estimated based on typical Marshall JMP 2203 usage for early Metallica and forum consensus.
- No evidence of any pedals or effects used on the riff section; all distortion is amp-based.
- Pickups are stock Gibson humbuckers, not EMGs (which were used later in Metallica's career).
- If referencing the Metal Massacre I version, Lloyd Grant played the solo, but the riff section is Hetfield on Flying V.
- Settings are inferred from genre, era, and user forum posts, not from official studio notes.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Early Metallica ('Kill 'Em All' era) used high-gain Marshall amps with a scooped mid sound, tight but not boomy bass, aggressive treble and presence for attack, and a very dry, reverb-free production typical of early 80s thrash.