GuitarDistortedSolo80% confidence
The Thing That Should Not Be Guitar Tone Settings — Metallica
Metallica · 1980s · metal
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Gibson Flying V (black, late 1970s)
Pickups
EMG 81 (bridge, active humbucker)
Amp
Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1985-1986. Kirk Hammett solo section. Amp settings and gear based on period-correct interviews and rig rundowns. No evidence of live rig or alternate guitars for this solo. Effects loop used for EQ and possible wah/delay. Album: Master of Puppets.
Amp Settings
Mids1.5
Bass3.5
Gain8.5
Reverb1
Treble6
Presence4.5
Effects Chain
- Wah pedal (model unknown, likely Dunlop Cry Baby or Vox) · wah
- Delay pedal (model unknown, likely rackmount or Boss DD-2/analog delay) · delay
Guitar → Wah pedal → Delay pedal → Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (with spring reverb, effects loop used for EQ/compression)
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Tone Character
- mid-scooped and aggressive
- dark and ominous
- singing sustain
- wah-filtered lead lines
- tight and percussive attack
- crushing low end
- articulate note separation
- metallic edge
- fluid legato phrasing
- high-gain saturation
Notes & Caveats
- Exact pedal models for wah and delay are not confirmed in sources, but both are clearly audible in the solo section.
- Amp settings are taken from period-correct Mark IIC+ settings and interviews; minor variation possible due to studio EQ and multi-amp layering.
- No evidence of chorus, flanger, or phaser in the solo section.
- No evidence of additional boost or overdrive pedals in the solo section; distortion is from amp.
- Estimated reverb is based on typical Mark IIC+ use and forum settings.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. For 'The Thing That Should Not Be' solo, Metallica used a heavily scooped, high-gain tone typical of their mid-80s sound (Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+), with tight bass, pronounced treble, and minimal reverb for a dry, aggressive attack. The mids are set low for that classic 80s Metallica 'scooped' sound, and presence is boosted for clarity.