GuitarDistortedSolo
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