Solo Tone
Atlas, Rise!
Metallica
Guitarmetal2010s+
Original Gear
GuitarESP KH-2 Ouija (Kirk Hammett signature, used on Hardwired...To Self-Destruct solos)
AmpMesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier (studio blend, likely with Diezel VH4 and Marshall JVM410H based on era and interviews)
PickupsEMG 81 (bridge), EMG 60 (neck) active humbuckers
Amp Settings
gain8.5
bass6
mid4
treble7.5
reverb1
presence6.5
Effects & Signal Chain
wahDunlop Dunlop Cry Baby Wah (likely KH95 Kirk Hammett Signature)
delayUnknown Delay pedal (model unknown, likely Boss DD-3 or Strymon Timeline)
noise_gateUnknown Noise gate (model unknown, likely ISP Decimator or Boss NS-2)
Notes
Studio recording, 2016 (Hardwired...To Self-Destruct). Kirk Hammett's solos were tracked with his ESP KH-2 Ouija loaded with EMG 81/60 pickups. Amps were blended in the studio, with the Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier as the primary high-gain amp for solos. No evidence of live rig or alternate guitars for this solo section.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussivescooped midsaggressive palm mutinghigh-gain saturationsinging sustaincutting lead presencebiting treble edgefluid legato runswah-inflected phrasingsharp pick attack
Difficulty
The solo requires advanced lead technique, fast picking, fluid legato, and expressive wah manipulation at a fast tempo, making it challenging for most players.
Sources
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Original Gear
GuitarESP KH-2 Ouija (Kirk Hammett signature, used on Hardwired...To Self-Destruct solos)
AmpMesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier (studio blend, likely with Diezel VH4 and Marshall JVM410H based on era and interviews)
PickupsEMG 81 (bridge), EMG 60 (neck) active humbuckers
Amp Settings
gain8.5
bass6
mid4
treble7.5
reverb1
presence6.5
Effects & Signal Chain
wahDunlop Dunlop Cry Baby Wah (likely KH95 Kirk Hammett Signature)
delayUnknown Delay pedal (model unknown, likely Boss DD-3 or Strymon Timeline)
noise_gateUnknown Noise gate (model unknown, likely ISP Decimator or Boss NS-2)
Notes
Studio recording, 2016 (Hardwired...To Self-Destruct). Kirk Hammett's solos were tracked with his ESP KH-2 Ouija loaded with EMG 81/60 pickups. Amps were blended in the studio, with the Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier as the primary high-gain amp for solos. No evidence of live rig or alternate guitars for this solo section.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussivescooped midsaggressive palm mutinghigh-gain saturationsinging sustaincutting lead presencebiting treble edgefluid legato runswah-inflected phrasingsharp pick attack
Difficulty
The solo requires advanced lead technique, fast picking, fluid legato, and expressive wah manipulation at a fast tempo, making it challenging for most players.
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