GuitarDistortedSolo80% confidence
Master of Puppets Solo Guitar Tone Settings — Metallica
Metallica · 1980s · metal
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
ESP 400 Series Strat-style (Kirk Hammett, solo section, 1986 studio recording)
Pickups
Seymour Duncan SH-4 JB (bridge humbucker)
Amp
Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ Head
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1986. Kirk Hammett played the solo using his ESP 400 Series Strat-style guitar with a Seymour Duncan JB in the bridge. The amp was a Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ head, as confirmed by multiple sources. No evidence of additional distortion pedals for the solo; core tone is amp-based high gain. Compression and EQ rack units were used in the studio. No wah, delay, chorus, or flanger audible in the solo section.
Amp Settings
Mids3
Bass6.5
Gain9
Reverb1
Treble7.5
Presence6
Effects Chain
- Boss CS-1 Compression Sustainer · compression
Guitar → Boss CS-1 Compression Sustainer → Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ Head (with light spring reverb)
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Tone Character
- tight and percussive
- scooped mids
- singing sustain
- aggressive palm muting
- high-gain saturation
- bright and articulate
- razor-sharp attack
- harmonic clarity
- crisp pick attack
- minimal ambience
Notes & Caveats
- No direct studio knob photos or official amp setting sheets for the solo section; settings are averaged from forum posts and typical Mark IIC+ usage for this album.
- No evidence of delay, chorus, flanger, or wah in the solo section; only compression and EQ rack units are confirmed.
- Pickup and guitar model confirmed by multiple sources for Kirk Hammett's solo, but some sources mention Jackson or Gibson guitars for other sections—this is specific to the solo.
- Amp settings are estimated based on genre, era, and multiple forum discussions; not from official studio notes.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. The 'Master of Puppets' solo section features the classic 80s Metallica scooped-mid, high-gain rhythm/lead tone, achieved with Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ amps set for tight lows, scooped mids, and bright, cutting highs, with little to no reverb for a dry, aggressive sound.