Solo Tone

Enter Sandman

Metallica

Guitarmetal1990s

Original Gear

GuitarESP KH-2 (custom shop, early 1990s, black, loaded with EMG 81/60 pickups)

AmpMesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (studio recording, 1991)

PickupsEMG 81 (bridge, active humbucker)

Amp Settings

gain7.5

bass6

mid4

treble7.5

reverb1

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

wahDunlop Dunlop Cry Baby Wah (likely original GCB95 or KH95 signature)

Notes

Studio recording for the 1991 'Metallica' (Black Album); Kirk Hammett used his ESP KH-2 with EMG 81 in the bridge position for the solo. Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ was the primary amp for solos on the album. Wah pedal is clearly audible in the solo. Settings are estimated based on genre, era, and typical Mark IIC+ usage for Metallica in 1991. No evidence of live/tour gear or other amps for the studio solo.

Tone Character(10)

saturated and high-gaintight and percussivesinging sustainaggressive wah sweeparticulate note separationslightly scooped midscrisp, biting treblecompressed and moderncontrolled feedbackcutting lead presence

Difficulty

The solo requires advanced control of the wah pedal, fast alternate picking, and expressive phrasing with bends and slides, making it challenging for most intermediate players.

Sources

How to get a Metallica "Enter Sandman" tone? : r/Guitar Kirk Hammett's Guitars, Gear, Wah & Amps | Equipboard 40-31 - The 50 greatest guitar effects moments of all time - Page 2 | Guitar World Metallica’s Kirk Hammett has a new signature Dunlop Cry Baby wah pedal | MusicRadar

This tone has been researched 24 times by the community

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