TonesMatch
Ride the Lightning — Metallica1 / 2
Original RigYour Adaptation
GuitarDistortedSolo80% confidence

Ride the Lightning Solo Guitar Tone Settings — Metallica

Metallica · 1980s · metal

studio

Original Recording

Guitar
Gibson Flying V (early 80s, likely 1981-1982, used by Kirk Hammett for solos on Ride the Lightning)
Pickups
Stock Gibson humbuckers (likely Dirty Fingers or T-Top, passive, high output)
Amp
Marshall JCM800 2203 (borrowed European model, studio recording, 1984)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup

Studio recording, 1984. Kirk Hammett used a Gibson Flying V with stock humbuckers into a Marshall JCM800, boosted with an Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer. EQ shaping via TC Electronic Dual Parametric Equalizer is documented for the album's solos. No Mesa/Boogie amps were used on this album. Settings are estimated based on period-correct Marshall usage and forum consensus.

Amp Settings

Mids
4.5
Bass
6
Gain
8
Reverb
0
Treble
7.5
Presence
6

Effects Chain

  • Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer · overdrive
  • TC Electronic Dual Parametric Equalizer · eq

Gibson Flying V → Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer → TC Electronic Dual Parametric EQ → Marshall JCM800 2203

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Tone Character

  • tight and percussive
  • singing sustain
  • strong mid-boost
  • slightly scooped upper-midrange
  • aggressive pick attack
  • cutting lead tone
  • dry, in-your-face solo sound
  • multitracked for thickness
  • harmonically rich
  • no audible reverb or delay

Notes & Caveats

  • ⚠️No official amp knob settings for the solo section found; settings estimated based on Marshall JCM800 usage for 80s metal and forum consensus.
  • ⚠️Pedal and EQ usage confirmed for solos, but exact pedal settings not documented.
  • ⚠️No evidence of delay, chorus, or reverb on the solo; solo is dry except for EQ and Tube Screamer boost.
  • ⚠️Pickup model is inferred from era-correct Flying V; some sources mention Fernandes Strat copies, but Flying V is most documented for solos.
  • ⚠️TC Electronic Dual Parametric EQ is confirmed for studio use, but exact settings are unknown.
  • ⚠️Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Kirk Hammett's solo tone on 'Ride the Lightning' is classic mid-80s Metallica: high gain, scooped mids, tight bass, and bright treble, achieved with a modded Marshall JCM800 and Tube Screamer. The tone is dry with no reverb, matching the album's production style and genre conventions.

Sources