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Riff Tone

Blackened intro

Metallica

Guitarmetal1980s

Original Gear

GuitarESP MX220 'Eet Fuk' (James Hetfield's main guitar for ...And Justice for All era)
AmpMesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (studio recording, 1988)

Amp Settings

gain9
bass6

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Effects & Signal Chain

Notes

Studio recording, 1988. James Hetfield used his ESP MX220 'Eet Fuk' with EMG 81 active pickups into a Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ for the main rhythm tracks on 'Blackened'. No evidence of live/touring gear or alternate guitars for the intro riff. No confirmed pedal use for the intro riff; all distortion from amp and pickups.

Tone Character(10)
tight and percussivescooped midsaggressive palm mutinghigh-gain saturationarticulate note separationcrisp, metallic edgefocused low endrazor-sharp rhythm toneminimal ambiencefast attack

Difficulty

The intro riff requires fast, accurate alternate picking with tight palm muting and precise rhythm, making it challenging for most players except advanced rhythm guitarists.

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