Solo Tone

Leper Messiah

Metallica

Guitarmetal1980s

Original Gear

GuitarESP KH-2 (custom, 1986 era, likely with stock EMG pickups swapped in post-1987, but for Master of Puppets era likely stock pickups or Seymour Duncan SH-4 JB)

AmpMesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (studio recording, 1986)

PickupsSeymour Duncan SH-4 JB (bridge humbucker, likely for solo; EMG 81 not yet used in 1986 studio recording)

Amp Settings

gain8

bass6

mid3.5

treble7.5

reverb0

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 1986. Kirk Hammett played the solo on an ESP KH-2 or similar Superstrat with a Seymour Duncan JB in the bridge, into a Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ head. No evidence of live rig or EMG pickups for this era. No evidence of boost/overdrive pedal in the solo section. Wah pedal not used in this solo.

Tone Character(10)

tight and percussivescooped midssinging sustainrazor-sharp attackarticulate note separationhigh-gain saturationcrisp pick attackminimal ambient reverbfast alternate pickingaggressive palm muting

Difficulty

The solo requires fast alternate picking, tight palm muting, and precise articulation under high gain, making it challenging for most intermediate players.

Sources

10 Albums That Are Complete Masterpieces — According to You!Anyone else notice the different guitar tone for disposable heroes and leper messiah?

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