GuitarDistortedSolo80% confidence
The Four Horsemen Solo Guitar Tone Settings — Metallica
Metallica · 1980s · metal
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Gibson Flying V (1979, stock, likely with stock humbuckers)
Pickups
Stock Gibson humbuckers (likely T-Top or Dirty Fingers, passive)
Amp
Marshall JMP 1959 Mk II Super Lead 100w (1976-77)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1983. Kirk Hammett used his Gibson Flying V for the Kill 'Em All album, including 'The Four Horsemen' solo. The amp was a Marshall JMP 1959 Super Lead, no evidence of Mesa/Boogie or JCM800 on this album. Pedals used were minimal; wah was used for solos. No evidence of TS9 or other overdrives on this specific recording. Settings are estimated based on period-correct Marshall usage and forum posts.
Amp Settings
Mids5
Bass5
Gain8
Reverb0
Treble5
Presence4
Effects Chain
- Jen Cry Baby Super Wah · wah
Gibson Flying V → Jen Cry Baby Super Wah → Marshall JMP 1959 Mk II Super Lead 100w head → Marshall 4x12 cabinet
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Tone Character
- aggressive and biting
- tight and percussive
- scooped mids
- singing sustain on bends
- sharp pick attack
- wah-inflected phrasing
- dry, minimal ambience
- bright but not harsh
- articulate note separation
- classic early thrash metal solo sound
Notes & Caveats
- Amp settings are based on a user post from Ultimate Guitar and typical Marshall JMP usage for 1980s thrash; no official studio documentation of exact knob positions.
- No evidence of TS9 or other overdrive/distortion pedals used on the studio recording; forum posts and interviews indicate straight into Marshall with wah for solos.
- Wah pedal model is not 100% confirmed for this track, but multiple sources and audio confirm wah is used on the solo; Jen Cry Baby Super Wah is most likely.
- No evidence of delay, chorus, flanger, or reverb on the solo; the tone is dry and direct.
- Pickup type is inferred from the stock 1979 Gibson Flying V; some sources mention later EMGs, but not for this album.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. The Four Horsemen solo section features a classic early Metallica scooped rhythm/lead tone: high gain (but not maxed), tight low end, heavily scooped mids, bright treble, and boosted presence for clarity, with a very dry, in-your-face 80s Bay Area thrash production. These settings closely match James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett's typical 1983 amp approach (Marshall JCM800, Tubescreamer, no reverb) for this era.