Riff Tone

Don't Tread On Me

Metallica

Guitarmetal1990s

Original Gear

GuitarESP MX220 (James Hetfield's 'Eet Fuk' Explorer, 1989-1992 era, used on Black Album sessions)

AmpMesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (main rhythm amp for Black Album, studio recording)

PickupsEMG 81 (bridge, active humbucker)

Amp Settings

gain8

bass6

mid4

treble7.5

reverb0

presence6.5

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 1991 Black Album sessions. Rhythm guitar by James Hetfield. Guitar: ESP MX220 with EMG 81 bridge pickup. Amp: Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ head into Marshall 4x12 cabinet. No confirmed pedal use for rhythm section; tight, dry, high-gain tone. No time-based or modulation effects audible. Settings estimated based on era, genre, and typical Black Album tones.

Tone Character(10)

tight and percussivescooped midsaggressive palm mutinghigh-gain saturationdry and focusedarticulate note separationchunky low endminimal ambiencemetallic attackfast, precise picking

Difficulty

The riff requires tight, fast palm muting and precise alternate picking at a medium-fast tempo, with syncopated rhythms typical of Metallica's 1990s style.

Sources

Metallica, Don't Tread On Me | Kirk Hammett's Guitar Parts - YouTube How To Get Metallica Guitar Tone - Jamie Slays - YouTube What settings for Metallica : r/PositiveGridSpark - Reddit

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