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Riff Tone
Riff Tape Intro
Metallica
Guitarmetal1980s
Original Gear
GuitarESP MX220 (custom, aka 'Eet Fuk' Explorer-style, 1987-88)
AmpMesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ head into Marshall 4x12 cabinet (Celestion speakers)
Amp Settings
gain8
bass6
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Notes
Studio recording, 1988, And Justice For All sessions. This is the classic Metallica rhythm tone used by James Hetfield for the heavy riff sections. No evidence of live rig or alternate gear for this specific recording.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussivescooped midsaggressive palm mutinghigh-gain saturationrazor-sharp attackarticulate downpickingcrushing rhythm tonepercussive low endminimal ambiencedry, focused sound
Difficulty
The riff requires fast, precise downpicking and palm muting at high speed, demanding stamina and tight synchronization, making it challenging for most players.
Create an account to adapt this tone to your gear
Create Free AccountGuitarmetal1980s
Original Gear
GuitarESP MX220 (custom, aka 'Eet Fuk' Explorer-style, 1987-88)
AmpMesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ head into Marshall 4x12 cabinet (Celestion speakers)
Amp Settings
gain8
bass6
Create an account to see all tone details
Create Free AccountEffects & Signal Chain
Notes
Studio recording, 1988, And Justice For All sessions. This is the classic Metallica rhythm tone used by James Hetfield for the heavy riff sections. No evidence of live rig or alternate gear for this specific recording.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussivescooped midsaggressive palm mutinghigh-gain saturationrazor-sharp attackarticulate downpickingcrushing rhythm tonepercussive low endminimal ambiencedry, focused sound
Difficulty
The riff requires fast, precise downpicking and palm muting at high speed, demanding stamina and tight synchronization, making it challenging for most players.