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Riff Tone
Fuel (Live)
Metallica
Guitarmetal1990s
Original Gear
GuitarESP MX-250 Electric Guitar (Hetfield, live, 1990s spec, likely with EMG 81/60 pickups)
AmpMesa/Boogie Triaxis Preamp → Mesa/Boogie Strategy 400 Power Amp → Mesa/Boogie Rectifier 4x12 OS Straight Cab (Celestion Vintage 30 speakers)
Amp Settings
gain8.5
bass5.5
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Notes
Live rig for Metallica in late 1990s/early 2000s; confirmed ESP MX-250 and Mesa/Boogie rack system for 'Fuel' live riff section. No evidence of pedal-based distortion; all gain from amp/preamp. Year: late 1990s to 2010s.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussivescooped midsaggressive palm mutinghigh-gain saturationrazor-sharp attackchunky low endcutting trebleminimal ambiencemodern metal clarityfast transient response
Difficulty
The riff requires advanced right-hand technique for fast, tight palm muting, rapid alternate picking, and precise rhythm synchronization, making it challenging for most players.
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Create Free AccountGuitarmetal1990s
Original Gear
GuitarESP MX-250 Electric Guitar (Hetfield, live, 1990s spec, likely with EMG 81/60 pickups)
AmpMesa/Boogie Triaxis Preamp → Mesa/Boogie Strategy 400 Power Amp → Mesa/Boogie Rectifier 4x12 OS Straight Cab (Celestion Vintage 30 speakers)
Amp Settings
gain8.5
bass5.5
Create an account to see all tone details
Create Free AccountEffects & Signal Chain
Notes
Live rig for Metallica in late 1990s/early 2000s; confirmed ESP MX-250 and Mesa/Boogie rack system for 'Fuel' live riff section. No evidence of pedal-based distortion; all gain from amp/preamp. Year: late 1990s to 2010s.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussivescooped midsaggressive palm mutinghigh-gain saturationrazor-sharp attackchunky low endcutting trebleminimal ambiencemodern metal clarityfast transient response
Difficulty
The riff requires advanced right-hand technique for fast, tight palm muting, rapid alternate picking, and precise rhythm synchronization, making it challenging for most players.