TonesMatch
One — Metallica1 / 2
Original RigYour Adaptation
GuitarDistortedSolo80% confidence

One Solo Guitar Tone Settings — Metallica

Metallica · 1980s · metal

studio

Original Recording

Guitar
ESP MX-220 (custom Explorer-style, black finish)
Pickups
EMG 81 (bridge, active humbucker)
Amp
Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (main), Marshall JCM800 (modded, blended in studio)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup

Studio recording, 1988. Used for the heavy/solo sections of 'One' on ...And Justice For All. Guitar is the ESP MX-220 with EMG 81 bridge pickup. Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ is the primary amp for the solo, with possible Marshall JCM800 blend. Settings estimated from era and genre due to lack of explicit solo-section settings.

Amp Settings

Mids
3.5
Bass
5.5
Gain
8
Reverb
1
Treble
7.5
Presence
6.5

Effects Chain

  • Delay pedal (model unknown) · delay

ESP MX-220 (EMG 81 bridge) → Delay pedal (model unknown) → Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (with light spring reverb)

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Tone Character

  • tight and percussive
  • scooped mids
  • singing sustain
  • articulate pick attack
  • high-gain saturation
  • crisp note separation
  • aggressive palm muting
  • metallic edge
  • clear delay repeats
  • precise, fast lead tone

Notes & Caveats

  • ⚠️No explicit numeric amp settings for 'One' solo found in sources; settings estimated based on typical Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ usage for 1980s Metallica and genre conventions.
  • ⚠️Amp and guitar models confirmed for studio recording, but pedal models for delay are not specified in sources; delay is clearly audible in the solo.
  • ⚠️Marshall JCM800 may have been blended in the studio, but Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ is primary for the solo.
  • ⚠️Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. The 'One' solo tone is classic late-80s Metallica: high gain but not maxed, tight low end, heavily scooped mids, bright treble, and boosted presence for clarity. The recording is very dry, with little to no reverb, matching both the band's gear (Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ with mids scooped) and the genre's conventions.

Sources