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Riff Tone
Fight Fire with Fire
Metallica
Guitarmetal1980s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson Les Paul Custom (likely 1973 model, black finish, James Hetfield's main guitar for clean intros on Ride the Lightning)
AmpMarshall JCM800 2203 (borrowed European model, studio recording, 1984)
Amp Settings
gain0
bass5.5
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Notes
Studio recording, 1984. Clean intro tracked with Les Paul Custom into borrowed Marshall JCM800. No evidence of additional pedals or effects for the clean intro. This was before Hetfield switched to EMG pickups. Settings estimated based on typical Marshall clean settings and era.
Tone Character(10)
bright and glassypercussive attackquick note decayminimal sustainno audible breakupslightly scooped midsopen and ringingno modulation or time-based effectsclear and articulateacoustic-like clarity
Difficulty
The clean intro is moderately challenging due to its fast tempo and need for precise, even picking, but does not require advanced techniques or complex chord voicings.
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Create Free AccountGuitarmetal1980s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson Les Paul Custom (likely 1973 model, black finish, James Hetfield's main guitar for clean intros on Ride the Lightning)
AmpMarshall JCM800 2203 (borrowed European model, studio recording, 1984)
Amp Settings
gain0
bass5.5
Create an account to see all tone details
Create Free AccountEffects & Signal Chain
Notes
Studio recording, 1984. Clean intro tracked with Les Paul Custom into borrowed Marshall JCM800. No evidence of additional pedals or effects for the clean intro. This was before Hetfield switched to EMG pickups. Settings estimated based on typical Marshall clean settings and era.
Tone Character(10)
bright and glassypercussive attackquick note decayminimal sustainno audible breakupslightly scooped midsopen and ringingno modulation or time-based effectsclear and articulateacoustic-like clarity
Difficulty
The clean intro is moderately challenging due to its fast tempo and need for precise, even picking, but does not require advanced techniques or complex chord voicings.