Riff Tone

Last Caress (Live)

Metallica

Guitarmetal1990s

Original Gear

GuitarESP MX-250 (Hetfield's white 'Eet Fuk' Explorer-style guitar, typical for late 1990s live performances)

AmpWizard Modern Classic 100W head into Mesa/Boogie 4x12 cabinet (as used on Garage, Inc. and live in late 1990s)

PickupsEMG 81 (bridge, active humbucker)

Amp Settings

gain8

bass6

mid3.5

treble7

reverb1

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Live performance, late 1990s (Garage, Inc. era); James Hetfield's main live rig for Metallica's covers sets. No evidence of additional studio layering or alternate guitars for this riff section.

Tone Character(10)

tight and percussivescooped midsaggressive palm mutinghigh-gain saturationarticulate attackfocused low endcrisp trebledry, minimal ambiencebridge pickup clarityrhythmic punch

Difficulty

The riff is fast and requires tight, consistent down-picking and palm muting, but uses straightforward power chords and rhythm patterns, making it accessible to intermediate players.

Sources

Metallica – Garage, Inc. - Gear & Equipment Used on the Album | Equipboard Metallica Amp Settings (2026): James Hetfield Tone and EQ Guide - Guitar Chalk Metallica Amp Settings | Easy Guide

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