Riff Tone
Bitch (Ain't My Bitch" Original Ending Alternate Mix)
Metallica
Guitarmetal1990s
Original Gear
GuitarESP MX-220 (James Hetfield's main guitar during Load era, likely used on studio recording)
AmpMesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier (used by Hetfield for Load-era rhythm tracks)
PickupsEMG 81 (bridge), EMG 60 (neck) active humbuckers
Amp Settings
gain7.5
bass6
mid4
treble7
reverb1
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
noise_gateUnknown Noise gate (model unknown)
Notes
Studio recording, 1995-1996 Load sessions. Guitar tuned to Eb standard. No evidence of alternate guitars or amps for this specific riff section. Settings and gear inferred from Load-era interviews and typical Metallica studio practices.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussiveaggressive palm mutingscooped but present midschunky low endmodern high-gain saturationarticulate pick attackcompressed and focusedclear note separationminimal ambiencedry, in-your-face rhythm
Difficulty
The riff requires tight, aggressive palm muting and precise rhythm control at a medium-fast tempo, with high-gain clarity and articulation. While not technically advanced, it demands discipline and stamina to maintain the percussive, locked-in feel.
Sources
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Create Free AccountGuitarmetal1990s
Original Gear
GuitarESP MX-220 (James Hetfield's main guitar during Load era, likely used on studio recording)
AmpMesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier (used by Hetfield for Load-era rhythm tracks)
PickupsEMG 81 (bridge), EMG 60 (neck) active humbuckers
Amp Settings
gain7.5
bass6
mid4
treble7
reverb1
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
noise_gateUnknown Noise gate (model unknown)
Notes
Studio recording, 1995-1996 Load sessions. Guitar tuned to Eb standard. No evidence of alternate guitars or amps for this specific riff section. Settings and gear inferred from Load-era interviews and typical Metallica studio practices.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussiveaggressive palm mutingscooped but present midschunky low endmodern high-gain saturationarticulate pick attackcompressed and focusedclear note separationminimal ambiencedry, in-your-face rhythm
Difficulty
The riff requires tight, aggressive palm muting and precise rhythm control at a medium-fast tempo, with high-gain clarity and articulation. While not technically advanced, it demands discipline and stamina to maintain the percussive, locked-in feel.
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