GuitarDistortedSolo
The Unforgiven Solo Guitar Tone Settings — Metallica
Metallica · 1990s · metal
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
ESP KH-2 (Kirk Hammett signature, likely with EMG 81/60 pickups)
Pickups
EMG 81 (bridge, active humbucker)
Amp
Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1991. Kirk Hammett played the solo on the original Black Album recording using his ESP KH-2 with EMG pickups into a Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+. Wah pedal is clearly audible in the solo. No evidence of additional pedals or effects except for possible studio delay/reverb. Settings estimated based on era, genre, and typical Mark IIC+ usage for Metallica solos.
Amp Settings
Mids4
Bass5.5
Gain7.5
Reverb1.5
Treble7
Presence6.5
Effects Chain
- Cry Baby Wah (model unknown, likely Dunlop GCB95 or signature KH95) · wah
ESP KH-2 (bridge pickup) → Cry Baby Wah → Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (with spring reverb, possible studio delay)
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Tone Character
- singing sustain
- expressive wah sweeps
- liquid lead tone
- smooth legato runs
- clear note separation
- slightly scooped mids
- tight low end
- bright attack
- high output, saturated sound