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Riff Tone

Wherever I May Roam (Live)

Metallica

Guitarmetal1990s

Original Gear

GuitarESP LTD Iron Cross James Hetfield
AmpMesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (often reissue for live, original for studio)

Amp Settings

gain8
bass5.5

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Effects & Signal Chain

Notes

Live performance, early 1990s Black Album tour era. Guitar is always tuned to E♭ Standard for this song. Rhythm section (riff) is played by Hetfield on bridge pickup. No evidence of additional effects beyond a Tube Screamer-style overdrive for tightening the riff tone. No chorus, delay, or reverb audible or cited for riff section.

Tone Character(10)
tight and percussivescooped midsaggressive palm mutinghigh-gain saturationfocused, cutting attackminimal ambiencecrisp highstight low endbridge pickup biteclear note separation

Difficulty

The riff requires tight, aggressive palm muting at a medium-fast tempo, with precise alternate picking and syncopated rhythms. Chromatic movement and string skipping add to the technical challenge, making it moderately difficult for intermediate players.

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