Riff Tone

For Whom the Bell Tolls (Live)

Metallica

Guitarmetal1980s

Original Gear

GuitarESP MX220 (aka 'Eet Fuk')

AmpMesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (live rig, 1980s era)

PickupsEMG 81 (bridge), EMG 60 (neck) active humbuckers

Amp Settings

gain7.5

bass6

mid3

treble7

reverb1

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Live performance, mid-1980s (e.g., 1985 Day on the Green); James Hetfield's main rig for this era; settings and gear based on live footage and era-correct interviews. No evidence of pedal-based distortion; all gain from amp.

Tone Character(10)

tight and percussivescooped midsaggressive palm mutinghigh-gain saturationchunky rhythm tonearticulate pick definitioncrisp treble bitefocused and dryminimal ambiencepowerful low end

Difficulty

The riff requires tight palm muting and precise rhythm, but uses straightforward power chords and moderate tempo, making it accessible to intermediate players.

Sources

Amp settings for "for whom the Bell tolls" Metallica on Peavey vypyr 75 How to get Metallica’s James Hetfield’s sound!!!Metallica – For Whom the Bell Tolls (Live) - Gear & Equipment Used on the Single | Equipboard

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