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Riff Tone

Holier Than Thou

Metallica

Guitarmetal1990s

Original Gear

GuitarESP MX220 (James Hetfield's main guitar for The Black Album sessions)
AmpMesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (studio recording, The Black Album, 1991)

Amp Settings

gain8
bass6

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Effects & Signal Chain

Notes

Studio recording, 1991. James Hetfield used his ESP MX220 with EMG 81 in the bridge position into a Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ head, no pedals in front for rhythm. No evidence of additional effects or pedals on the riff section. Settings estimated based on era, genre, and typical Mark IIC+ usage for Metallica rhythm tones.

Tone Character(10)
tight and percussivescooped midsaggressive palm mutinghigh-gain saturationrazor-sharp articulationchunky rhythm tonefast alternate pickingminimal ambiencedry, in-your-face soundtight low end

Difficulty

The riff requires fast, consistent alternate picking with tight palm muting and precise timing, typical of Metallica's rhythm style. While not as complex as their most technical riffs, it demands stamina and accuracy.

This tone has been researched 2 times by the community

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