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Riff Tone

The Struggle Within

Metallica

Guitarmetal1990s

Original Gear

GuitarESP MX220 (aka 'Eet Fuk')
AmpMesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (studio recording, 1991)

Amp Settings

gain8
bass6

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Effects & Signal Chain

Notes

Studio recording for 'The Struggle Within' (Metallica, 1991, Black Album). James Hetfield used his ESP MX220 with EMG 81 in the bridge into a Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ head, no distortion pedals for rhythm, all gain from amp. No reverb or delay on rhythm tracks. Settings estimated based on era, genre, and confirmed amp/guitar pairing.

Tone Character(10)
tight and percussivescooped midsaggressive palm mutinghigh-gain saturationrazor-sharp articulationchunky low endcrisp, biting trebleharmonically tightdry, no ambiencepunchy attack

Difficulty

The riff requires fast, aggressive alternate picking with tight palm muting and precise right-hand technique to maintain clarity at high speed, making it challenging for most players.

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