Solo Tone

Guitar Solo (Live Seattle '89)

Metallica

Guitarmetal1980s

Original Gear

GuitarESP M-II Custom (Kirk Hammett signature, 1980s, with EMG 81/60 pickups)

AmpMesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (live, 1989 tour)

PickupsEMG 81 (bridge, active humbucker)

Amp Settings

gain7.5

bass5

mid2

treble7

reverb0

presence7

Effects & Signal Chain

wahDunlop Dunlop Crybaby Wah

overdriveIbanez Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer

Notes

Live performance, Seattle 1989, used for solo section. Kirk Hammett's main solo guitar was the ESP M-II Custom with EMG 81 in the bridge. Amp was Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+; settings based on forum and gear history sources. Effects chain included Dunlop Crybaby Wah and Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer as a solo boost. No evidence of chorus, flanger, or reverb in the solo section.

Tone Character(10)

tight and percussivescooped midsaggressive palm mutingsinging sustaincutting lead tonehigh-gain saturationarticulate single-note runsfast alternate pickingwah-filtered phrasingcrisp attack

Difficulty

This solo requires advanced speed, precise wah pedal use, and technical proficiency for fast runs and phrasing, making it challenging even for experienced players.

Sources

Seattle 89 distortion tone : r/Metallica Album Analysis: Live Shit: Binge & Purge - Part 1 (Seattle)Kirk Hammett's Guitars, Gear, Wah & Amps

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