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Riff Tone
Sad But True (From James' Riff Tapes)
Metallica
Guitarmetal1990s
Original Gear
GuitarESP MX-220 (black finish)
AmpMesa/Boogie Mark IIC++
Amp Settings
gain7
bass4
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Notes
Studio recording, 1990-1991 Black Album sessions. Main riff uses ESP MX-220 with EMG 81 bridge pickup into Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC++. Additional overdubs with Jerry Jones Danelectro Longhorn baritone for low octave chugs. Settings and effects are for the studio rhythm riff, not live or solo sections.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussivescooped midsaggressive palm mutingdeep, heavy low endhigh-gain saturationdry, punchy attackmodern metal claritycrushing, massive riff soundarticulate chuggingminimal ambience
Difficulty
The riff requires tight, consistent palm muting and heavy downpicking at a slow tempo, demanding stamina and precision for a massive, percussive sound.
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Create Free AccountGuitarmetal1990s
Original Gear
GuitarESP MX-220 (black finish)
AmpMesa/Boogie Mark IIC++
Amp Settings
gain7
bass4
Create an account to see all tone details
Create Free AccountEffects & Signal Chain
Notes
Studio recording, 1990-1991 Black Album sessions. Main riff uses ESP MX-220 with EMG 81 bridge pickup into Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC++. Additional overdubs with Jerry Jones Danelectro Longhorn baritone for low octave chugs. Settings and effects are for the studio rhythm riff, not live or solo sections.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussivescooped midsaggressive palm mutingdeep, heavy low endhigh-gain saturationdry, punchy attackmodern metal claritycrushing, massive riff soundarticulate chuggingminimal ambience
Difficulty
The riff requires tight, consistent palm muting and heavy downpicking at a slow tempo, demanding stamina and precision for a massive, percussive sound.