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Riff Tone
Ride the Lightning
Metallica
Guitarmetal1980s
Original Gear
GuitarESP MX220 (custom Explorer-style, likely with Gibson pickups for 1984 recording)
AmpMarshall JCM800 2203 head into Marshall 4x12 cabinet (studio, 1984)
Amp Settings
gain0
bass5
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Notes
Studio recording, 1984. No evidence of alternate guitars or amps for clean sections; Metallica typically used the same rig with amp/pedal gain rolled back for cleans. No official documentation of a separate clean amp for this song.
Tone Character(10)
bright and glassyarticulate single notesslightly compressedclear and percussive attackno audible breakuptight and controlledsubtle reverb tailno modulation or delaybridge pickup claritystudio ambience
Difficulty
The clean intro riff requires accurate alternate picking and note separation, but does not involve advanced techniques or high speed, making it accessible to intermediate players.
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Create Free AccountGuitarmetal1980s
Original Gear
GuitarESP MX220 (custom Explorer-style, likely with Gibson pickups for 1984 recording)
AmpMarshall JCM800 2203 head into Marshall 4x12 cabinet (studio, 1984)
Amp Settings
gain0
bass5
Create an account to see all tone details
Create Free AccountEffects & Signal Chain
Notes
Studio recording, 1984. No evidence of alternate guitars or amps for clean sections; Metallica typically used the same rig with amp/pedal gain rolled back for cleans. No official documentation of a separate clean amp for this song.
Tone Character(10)
bright and glassyarticulate single notesslightly compressedclear and percussive attackno audible breakuptight and controlledsubtle reverb tailno modulation or delaybridge pickup claritystudio ambience
Difficulty
The clean intro riff requires accurate alternate picking and note separation, but does not involve advanced techniques or high speed, making it accessible to intermediate players.