Riff Tone
Escape
Metallica
Guitarmetal1980s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson Explorer (1984, likely stock pickups for James Hetfield)
AmpMarshall JCM800 2203 (borrowed European model, studio recording)
PickupsGibson Dirty Fingers humbuckers (stock, passive)
Amp Settings
gain7.5
bass6
mid4
treble7.5
reverb0
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording for 'Ride the Lightning' (1984). James Hetfield's original Marshall was stolen before the session; a replacement JCM800 was used. No evidence of pedals for rhythm/riff section. Settings estimated from era, genre, and amp model.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussivescooped midsaggressive palm mutinghigh-gain saturationarticulate attackchunky low endbright and cutting treblemultitracked rhythm guitarsdry, no audible reverbclassic 80s thrash metal rhythm sound
Difficulty
The riff requires fast, tight alternate picking and precise palm muting at a high tempo, demanding good right-hand technique and left-hand stamina, but does not involve advanced lead techniques or complex chord voicings.
Sources
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Create Free AccountGuitarmetal1980s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson Explorer (1984, likely stock pickups for James Hetfield)
AmpMarshall JCM800 2203 (borrowed European model, studio recording)
PickupsGibson Dirty Fingers humbuckers (stock, passive)
Amp Settings
gain7.5
bass6
mid4
treble7.5
reverb0
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording for 'Ride the Lightning' (1984). James Hetfield's original Marshall was stolen before the session; a replacement JCM800 was used. No evidence of pedals for rhythm/riff section. Settings estimated from era, genre, and amp model.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussivescooped midsaggressive palm mutinghigh-gain saturationarticulate attackchunky low endbright and cutting treblemultitracked rhythm guitarsdry, no audible reverbclassic 80s thrash metal rhythm sound
Difficulty
The riff requires fast, tight alternate picking and precise palm muting at a high tempo, demanding good right-hand technique and left-hand stamina, but does not involve advanced lead techniques or complex chord voicings.
Escape settings for your amp
Exact settings ToneAdapt players use on these amps.
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