GuitarDistortedSolo
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
Mids4.5
Bass6
Gain8
Reverb0
Treble7.5
Presence6
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
Tone Matcher
Match This Tone to Your Gear
Tell us your guitar and amp — we’ll calculate the exact settings translated to your specific rig.
7-day free trial · Cancel anytime.
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