Riff Tone
Fuel (Live at Rosemont Horizon, Chicago, Il - February 9th, 1997)
Metallica
Guitarmetal1990s
Original Gear
GuitarESP MX-250 (Hetfield's 'Eet Fuk' or 'So What' Explorer, 1996-1997 live era)
AmpMesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier (live rig, 1997 era)
PickupsEMG 81 (bridge), EMG 60 (neck) active humbuckers
Amp Settings
gain8.5
bass6
mid4
treble7
reverb0
presence6.5
Effects & Signal Chain
noise_gateUnknown Noise gate (model unknown, likely Rocktron Hush or ISP Decimator)
Notes
Live performance, February 9th, 1997, Rosemont Horizon, Chicago. James Hetfield's main rhythm rig for Reload/Fuel era. No direct source for this exact show, but consistent with 1997 live Metallica rigs. No evidence of additional preamp or cab simulators in the riff section.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussivescooped midsaggressive palm mutinghigh-gain saturationrazor-sharp attackarticulate pick responseminimal ambiencecrushing modern metal tonefast, precise riffingfocused low end
Difficulty
The riff requires fast, accurate alternate picking and tight palm muting at a high tempo, with precise right-hand rhythm and syncopation, making it moderately challenging for intermediate players.
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Create Free AccountGuitarmetal1990s
Original Gear
GuitarESP MX-250 (Hetfield's 'Eet Fuk' or 'So What' Explorer, 1996-1997 live era)
AmpMesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier (live rig, 1997 era)
PickupsEMG 81 (bridge), EMG 60 (neck) active humbuckers
Amp Settings
gain8.5
bass6
mid4
treble7
reverb0
presence6.5
Effects & Signal Chain
noise_gateUnknown Noise gate (model unknown, likely Rocktron Hush or ISP Decimator)
Notes
Live performance, February 9th, 1997, Rosemont Horizon, Chicago. James Hetfield's main rhythm rig for Reload/Fuel era. No direct source for this exact show, but consistent with 1997 live Metallica rigs. No evidence of additional preamp or cab simulators in the riff section.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussivescooped midsaggressive palm mutinghigh-gain saturationrazor-sharp attackarticulate pick responseminimal ambiencecrushing modern metal tonefast, precise riffingfocused low end
Difficulty
The riff requires fast, accurate alternate picking and tight palm muting at a high tempo, with precise right-hand rhythm and syncopation, making it moderately challenging for intermediate players.
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