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Riff Tone
My Friend of Misery
Metallica
Guitarmetal1990s
Original Gear
GuitarESP MX220 (James Hetfield's custom Explorer-style guitar)
AmpMesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (main rhythm amp for Black Album era, studio recording)
Amp Settings
gain8
bass6.5
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Notes
Studio recording, 1991 Black Album sessions. Rhythm tone tracked by James Hetfield. No evidence of pedals in the main rhythm chain; distortion from amp. Diezel VH4 was used live and in later years, but not on this recording.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussivescooped midsaggressive palm mutinghigh-gain saturationarticulate attackdry and focusedlow-end punchminimal ambiencefast note decaycrisp pick response
Difficulty
The riff requires intermediate to advanced palm muting technique, tight rhythmic precision, and stamina to maintain consistent attack and muting throughout the heavy, syncopated patterns.
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Create Free AccountGuitarmetal1990s
Original Gear
GuitarESP MX220 (James Hetfield's custom Explorer-style guitar)
AmpMesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (main rhythm amp for Black Album era, studio recording)
Amp Settings
gain8
bass6.5
Create an account to see all tone details
Create Free AccountEffects & Signal Chain
Notes
Studio recording, 1991 Black Album sessions. Rhythm tone tracked by James Hetfield. No evidence of pedals in the main rhythm chain; distortion from amp. Diezel VH4 was used live and in later years, but not on this recording.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussivescooped midsaggressive palm mutinghigh-gain saturationarticulate attackdry and focusedlow-end punchminimal ambiencefast note decaycrisp pick response
Difficulty
The riff requires intermediate to advanced palm muting technique, tight rhythmic precision, and stamina to maintain consistent attack and muting throughout the heavy, syncopated patterns.