GuitarDistortedRiff
The Unforgiven Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Metallica
Metallica · 1990s · metal
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
ESP MX220 'Eet Fuk' (custom Explorer-style, 1980s, black finish)
Pickups
EMG 81 (bridge, active humbucker)
Amp
Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ Simulclass Head
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1991 Black Album sessions. James Hetfield used his ESP MX220 with EMG 81 pickups into a Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ for the main riff rhythm tracks. No evidence of pedals or effects for the riff section; clean and distorted parts tracked separately. Settings estimated based on era, genre, and amp model. No evidence of live/touring gear or alternate guitars for this section.
Amp Settings
Mids4
Bass6
Gain7
Reverb1
Treble7
Presence6
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Tone Character
- tight and percussive
- slightly scooped mids
- aggressive palm muting
- articulate pick attack
- warm low end
- high-gain saturation (but not extreme)
- dry, minimal ambience
- classic early 90s metal rhythm
- solid-state-like clarity
- defined note separation