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Riff Tone
Load (King Nothing" Original Arrangement Rough Mix)
Metallica
Guitarmetal1990s
Original Gear
GuitarESP MX-220 (James Hetfield's main guitar during Load sessions)
AmpMesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier (studio recording, Load era)
Amp Settings
gain7
bass6
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Notes
Studio recording, 1995-1996. James Hetfield used his ESP MX-220 with EMG active pickups into a Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier for the main rhythm tracks on Load. No evidence of pedal use for the riff section; distortion from amp. Settings are estimated from forum discussions and typical Load-era tones.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussivescooped midsaggressive palm mutinghigh-gain saturationarticulate pick attackchunky low endcrisp high endmodern metal clarityminimal ambiencefocused rhythm crunch
Difficulty
The riff requires tight, consistent palm muting and precise alternate picking at a medium tempo, with a strong sense of rhythm and dynamic control to achieve the aggressive, percussive tone characteristic of Metallica's Load-era rhythm work.
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Create Free AccountGuitarmetal1990s
Original Gear
GuitarESP MX-220 (James Hetfield's main guitar during Load sessions)
AmpMesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier (studio recording, Load era)
Amp Settings
gain7
bass6
Create an account to see all tone details
Create Free AccountEffects & Signal Chain
Notes
Studio recording, 1995-1996. James Hetfield used his ESP MX-220 with EMG active pickups into a Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier for the main rhythm tracks on Load. No evidence of pedal use for the riff section; distortion from amp. Settings are estimated from forum discussions and typical Load-era tones.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussivescooped midsaggressive palm mutinghigh-gain saturationarticulate pick attackchunky low endcrisp high endmodern metal clarityminimal ambiencefocused rhythm crunch
Difficulty
The riff requires tight, consistent palm muting and precise alternate picking at a medium tempo, with a strong sense of rhythm and dynamic control to achieve the aggressive, percussive tone characteristic of Metallica's Load-era rhythm work.