GuitarDistortedRiff
The Frayed Ends of Sanity Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Metallica
Metallica · 1980s · metal
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
ESP MX220 'Eet Fuk' Explorer
Pickups
EMG 81 (bridge, active humbucker)
Amp
Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ Head
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording for '...And Justice for All' (1988); James Hetfield's main rhythm guitar and amp for this album. No evidence of live/touring substitutions or additional pedals for the riff section.
Amp Settings
Mids3.5
Bass6
Gain8.5
Reverb0
Treble7.5
Presence6
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Tone Character
- tight and percussive
- scooped mids
- razor-sharp attack
- dry and compressed
- articulate note separation
- high-gain saturation
- minimal ambience
- aggressive palm muting
- metallic edge
- fast, staccato rhythm