GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence
The Shortest Straw Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Metallica
Metallica · 1980s · metal
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
ESP MX220 'EET FUK' (custom Explorer-style, 1987-88)
Pickups
EMG 81 active humbucker (bridge position)
Amp
Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (used as preamp) into Marshall JCM800 100W power amp and Mesa 4x12 cabinets
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1988. Rhythm guitar for riff section. No evidence of pedals or effects other than amp distortion. EMG 81 pickups confirmed for this era and song. Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ used as preamp, Marshall JCM800 as power amp. No evidence of additional pedals or rack effects for rhythm tone.
Amp Settings
Mids3.5
Bass6
Gain8.5
Reverb0
Treble7.5
Presence6
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.
Adapt to MY Gear →7-day free trial · Cancel anytime.
Tone Character
- tight and percussive
- scooped mids
- razor-sharp attack
- high-gain saturation
- dry and unprocessed
- aggressive palm muting
- articulate pick definition
- crushing low end
- minimal ambience
- focused and cutting
Notes & Caveats
- No direct source gives exact amp knob settings for 'The Shortest Straw' riff; settings estimated based on era, amp models, and genre.
- No evidence of pedals or rack effects on rhythm tone; all distortion from amp/preamp.
- Confirmed EMG 81 pickups and ESP MX220 guitar for this era and song.
- No reverb or time-based effects audible or cited for rhythm section; tone is very dry and tight.
- Signal chain and settings inferred from multiple interviews and rig rundowns for '...And Justice for All' sessions.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Recorded in 1988 for '...And Justice for All,' Hetfield used a Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ with high gain, scooped mids, tight bass, and bright, cutting treble/presence for the signature dry, aggressive thrash tone. The production is famously dry with no audible amp reverb.