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Solo Tone

Fade to Black

Metallica

Guitarmetal1980s

Original Gear

GuitarGibson Flying V (black, 1979, stock pickups)
AmpMarshall JCM800 2203 (studio, 1984 Ride the Lightning sessions)
PickupsStock Gibson humbuckers (likely T-Top humbuckers)

Amp Settings

gain0
bass6
mid4.5
treble7
reverb2
presence5.5

Effects & Signal Chain

delayUnknown Delay pedal (model unknown)
chorusUnknown Chorus pedal (model unknown)

Notes

Studio recording, 1984. Kirk Hammett used his black Flying V with the neck pickup for the clean solo section. Amp was a Marshall JCM800. No evidence of Mesa/Boogie or other amps for the clean section. Effects were added via pedals and possibly rack units. Pickup selector set to neck. No evidence of live gear or later signature models used on this recording.

Tone Character(10)
warm and smoothglassy cleanslight shimmer (possible chorus)spacious with subtle reverbarticulate note separationsustained clean linessoft attackstudio double-tracked thicknessno audible crunch or breakupclear, bell-like highs

Difficulty

The clean solo requires intermediate technique: clean, precise picking, expressive bends, and control of dynamics and sustain, especially with delay repeats. Not technically advanced, but demands musicality and control.

Sources

Metallica's James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett reveal the guitar secrets behind 16 of the band's best songs | Guitar WorldWhat effect is used on Metallica's Fade To Black beginning solo?What's the effect used in the intro solo of Fade to Black called? - Reddit

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