GuitarDistortedSolo
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