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One Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Metallica
Metallica · 1980s · metal
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
ESP MX-220
Pickups
EMG 81 (bridge), EMG 60 (neck)
Amp
Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus
Pickup Position
Neck pickup (EMG 60)
Studio recording, 1988. Clean intro/riff sections of 'One' were tracked with the ESP MX-220 (EMG 60 neck pickup) into a Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus amp. This is confirmed by multiple forum and Reddit sources. No evidence of pedal use for the clean part; delay and chorus are from rack or amp. Settings are estimated based on typical JC-120 use for this song and era.
Amp Settings
Mids4
Bass6
Gain0
Reverb2.5
Treble7
Presence3
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Tone Character
- crystal-clear cleans
- lush stereo chorus
- bright and articulate
- shimmering clean intro
- slight ambient reverb
- no audible distortion
- percussive attack
- wide stereo image
- distinct delay repeats
- tight, noise-free cleans
Notes & Caveats
- Gain adjusted to 0 for clean tone
- No official amp knob settings for the JC-120 on 'One' found; settings estimated based on typical JC-120 clean use and genre/era.
- Pedal/effect model specifics not confirmed for studio recording; chorus and delay are clearly audible but likely from rack or amp.
- Presence control not available on JC-120; set to 0.
- If alternate gear or settings are found in future official interviews, update accordingly.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. The 'One' riff tone is classic late-80s Metallica: high gain, tight low end, heavily scooped mids, and bright, cutting treble, achieved with Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ amps. The tone is very dry with no reverb, matching the production style and Hetfield's preferences of the era.