GuitarDistortedSolo80% confidence
Orion Solo Guitar Tone Settings — Metallica
Metallica · 1980s · metal
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
ESP MX220 (aka 'EET FUK' Explorer-style, likely with EMG 81 bridge pickup retrofit or stock passive pickups for 1986 recording)
Pickups
Passive humbuckers (likely stock ESP LH-200 or similar; EMG 81 retrofits became standard later, but for Master of Puppets era likely passive)
Amp
Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (studio recording, 1985-86)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1985-86. The solo section on 'Orion' was recorded for the Master of Puppets album using James Hetfield's ESP MX220 and a Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ amp. No evidence of live rig or later gear (Randall, Fractal, etc.) applies. No confirmed pedal use for the solo except possible Tube Screamer for boost, but this is not confirmed for 'Orion'.
Amp Settings
Mids4
Bass6
Gain7.5
Reverb1
Treble7.5
Presence6
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Tone Character
- tight and percussive
- scooped mids
- singing sustain
- aggressive attack
- articulate high end
- chunky low end
- smooth lead sustain
- slight amp reverb for space
- classic 80s thrash metal saturation
- no modulation or time-based effects
Notes & Caveats
- No direct studio amp knob settings for 'Orion' solo found; settings estimated based on typical Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ usage for 80s Metallica and genre/era.
- No confirmed evidence of overdrive/distortion pedal (e.g., Tube Screamer) used on 'Orion' solo; TS9 was used on 'Ride the Lightning' but not confirmed for 'Master of Puppets' era.
- No evidence of modulation, delay, or wah effects on the 'Orion' solo guitar; forum posts and listening confirm a dry, amp-driven high-gain tone.
- Pickups for Hetfield's ESP MX220 in 1986 were likely passive humbuckers, not EMGs (which became standard later).
- Amp reverb is present but subtle; no evidence of external reverb pedal.
- All settings and effects are for the STUDIO recording, not live.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. For 'Orion,' Metallica used a scooped, high-gain rhythm tone typical of mid-80s thrash, likely with a Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (Kirk and James' main amp for 'Master of Puppets'), with mids pulled back, tight bass, and bright, cutting treble/presence. The solo section is slightly smoother but still dry and aggressive, with little to no reverb.