Riff Tone
Enter Sandman (Live)
Metallica
Guitarmetal1990s
Original Gear
GuitarESP MX220 'EET FUK' Explorer (1989-1990 spec, live Black Album era)
AmpMesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ head into Mesa/Boogie 4x12 cabinet (live Black Album era)
PickupsEMG 81 (bridge), EMG 60 (neck) active humbuckers
Amp Settings
gain8
bass6
mid4
treble6.5
reverb0.5
presence6.5
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Live Black Album era (1991+); James Hetfield's main rhythm guitar for 'Enter Sandman' riff section. No evidence of pedals for the riff tone; amp and guitar only. Settings are for live performance, not studio.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussivescooped midsaggressive palm mutingarticulate and definedslightly compressedhigh-gain saturationmechanical precisionwarm but not muddyactive pickup clarityno audible modulation or time-based effects
Difficulty
The riff requires tight, aggressive palm muting and precise alternate/down picking at a moderate tempo, with syncopated rhythms and consistent timing. Not technically advanced, but challenging for less experienced players due to the required precision and stamina.
Sources
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Create Free AccountGuitarmetal1990s
Original Gear
GuitarESP MX220 'EET FUK' Explorer (1989-1990 spec, live Black Album era)
AmpMesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ head into Mesa/Boogie 4x12 cabinet (live Black Album era)
PickupsEMG 81 (bridge), EMG 60 (neck) active humbuckers
Amp Settings
gain8
bass6
mid4
treble6.5
reverb0.5
presence6.5
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Live Black Album era (1991+); James Hetfield's main rhythm guitar for 'Enter Sandman' riff section. No evidence of pedals for the riff tone; amp and guitar only. Settings are for live performance, not studio.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussivescooped midsaggressive palm mutingarticulate and definedslightly compressedhigh-gain saturationmechanical precisionwarm but not muddyactive pickup clarityno audible modulation or time-based effects
Difficulty
The riff requires tight, aggressive palm muting and precise alternate/down picking at a moderate tempo, with syncopated rhythms and consistent timing. Not technically advanced, but challenging for less experienced players due to the required precision and stamina.
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