GuitarDistortedRiff
Ride the Lightning Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Metallica
Metallica · 1980s · metal
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
1984 Gibson Explorer
Pickups
Stock Gibson Dirty Fingers humbuckers
Amp
Marshall JCM800 2203 (modded)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1984. Rhythm guitar by James Hetfield. Amp was a Marshall JCM800 2203, reportedly modded, with a Pro Co Rat distortion pedal for additional gain. No evidence of time-based or modulation effects on the riff section. All information specific to the studio recording of 'Ride the Lightning' riff section.
Amp Settings
Mids4
Bass6
Gain8
Reverb0
Treble7.5
Presence6
Effects Chain
- Pro Co Rat · distortion
Guitar → Pro Co Rat → Marshall JCM800 2203 (modded) → Cabinet
Tone Matcher
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Tone Character
- tight and percussive
- scooped mids
- aggressive palm muting
- high-gain saturation
- articulate pick attack
- crisp and biting high end
- chunky low end
- dry, immediate response
- minimal ambience
- fast note tracking
Sources
Tone Story / Why This Tone Works
studio