Riff Tone
Bleeding Me (Remastered)
Metallica
Guitarmetal1990s
Original Gear
GuitarESP MX-220 (James Hetfield's main guitar for Load era, likely used on Bleeding Me riff)
AmpMesa/Boogie Mark IV
PickupsEMG 81 (bridge), EMG 60 (neck) active humbuckers
Amp Settings
gain7
bass6
mid3.5
treble7.5
reverb1
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
phaserMXR MXR Phase 100
Notes
Studio recording, 1995-1996, Load (Remastered) sessions. Mesa/Boogie Mark IV was the primary amp for Hetfield's rhythm tracks on Load. Guitar is the ESP MX-220 with EMG active pickups, as confirmed by multiple Load-era sources. No evidence of live rig or alternate guitars for this specific riff section.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussivescooped midsaggressive palm mutinghigh-gain saturationarticulate attackslightly compressedclear note separationmodern metal rhythm soundfull-bodied low endcrisp high end
Difficulty
The riff requires intermediate to advanced palm muting technique, tight rhythm control, and the ability to maintain clarity under high gain with a phaser effect. The timing and articulation are critical for the groove.
Sources
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Create Free AccountGuitarmetal1990s
Original Gear
GuitarESP MX-220 (James Hetfield's main guitar for Load era, likely used on Bleeding Me riff)
AmpMesa/Boogie Mark IV
PickupsEMG 81 (bridge), EMG 60 (neck) active humbuckers
Amp Settings
gain7
bass6
mid3.5
treble7.5
reverb1
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
phaserMXR MXR Phase 100
Notes
Studio recording, 1995-1996, Load (Remastered) sessions. Mesa/Boogie Mark IV was the primary amp for Hetfield's rhythm tracks on Load. Guitar is the ESP MX-220 with EMG active pickups, as confirmed by multiple Load-era sources. No evidence of live rig or alternate guitars for this specific riff section.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussivescooped midsaggressive palm mutinghigh-gain saturationarticulate attackslightly compressedclear note separationmodern metal rhythm soundfull-bodied low endcrisp high end
Difficulty
The riff requires intermediate to advanced palm muting technique, tight rhythm control, and the ability to maintain clarity under high gain with a phaser effect. The timing and articulation are critical for the groove.
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