Solo Tone

Battery

Metallica

Guitarmetal1980s

Original Gear

GuitarGibson Flying V (natural finish, neck pickup removed, bridge pickup only, modified controls)

AmpMesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ Head

PickupsGibson humbucker (likely stock or period-correct replacement, bridge position only)

Amp Settings

gain8.5

bass6

mid4

treble7.5

reverb0

presence6.5

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 1986. Guitar is a modified Gibson Flying V with only the bridge pickup active. Amp is a Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ as used on 'Master of Puppets'. No evidence of pedals or effects used in the solo section; tone is amp-driven. No evidence of effects loop or additional rack effects for this part.

Tone Character(10)

tight and percussivescooped midsaggressive palm mutinghigh-gain saturationrazor-sharp articulationdry and focusedminimal ambiencefast attackclear note separationcrushing rhythm clarity

Difficulty

The solo requires advanced picking speed, tight palm muting, and precise articulation at a fast tempo, making it challenging for most players.

Sources

James Hetfield's Guitar Gear, Amps & Pedalboard | Equipboard Metallica – ...And Justice for All (Remastered) - Gear & Equipment Used on the Album | Equipboard Metallica – Kill 'Em All (Remastered) - Gear & Equipment Used on the Album | Equipboard

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