Riff Tone

Am I Savage?

Metallica

Guitarmetal2010s+

Original Gear

GuitarESP Iron Cross (James Hetfield signature, used in studio for Hardwired... To Self-Destruct era rhythm parts)

AmpMesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier (studio, Hardwired... To Self-Destruct era)

PickupsEMG JH Het Set active humbuckers

Amp Settings

gain8

bass6

mid4

treble7

reverb1

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 2016. Rhythm guitars for 'Am I Savage?' riff section tracked by James Hetfield. No evidence of additional pedals or effects for the riff section; Metallica typically records rhythm tracks with minimal effects for tightness. D standard tuning. No evidence of live rig or alternate guitars for this section.

Tone Character(10)

tight and percussivescooped midsaggressive palm mutinghigh-gain saturationchunky low endarticulate note separationmodern metal clarityfocused and dryminimal ambienceheavy, crushing rhythm

Difficulty

The riff requires tight, aggressive palm muting and precise rhythm playing at a moderate tempo, demanding stamina and accuracy typical of modern Metallica rhythm parts.

Sources

Interview: Metallica's James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett on their tonal evolution

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