GuitarDistortedRiff
The Four Horsemen Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Metallica
Metallica · 1980s · metal
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
1980 Gibson Flying V (white, used by James Hetfield)
Pickups
Stock Gibson humbuckers (likely Dirty Fingers or T-Top, passive)
Amp
Marshall JMP 2203 (modded, 100W head, used in studio for Kill 'Em All)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1983. Rhythm guitar for riff section. No evidence of live/touring gear or alternate guitars/amps for this part. No evidence of effects loop or rack gear. Kirk Hammett also used the same amp for leads, but this is the rhythm/riff tone.
Amp Settings
Mids2.5
Bass7
Gain8
Reverb0
Treble8.5
Presence6.5
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Tone Character
- tight and percussive
- scooped mids
- aggressive palm muting
- razor-sharp treble
- chunky low end
- dry, in-your-face sound
- minimal ambience
- classic thrash rhythm
- high-gain saturation
- fast attack