Solo Tone

Nothing Else Matters

Metallica

Guitarmetal1990s

Original Gear

GuitarESP KH-2 (Kirk Hammett Signature) or Gibson Les Paul Custom (studio recording, 1991 era)

AmpMesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (studio recording, 1991 era)

PickupsEMG 81/60 active humbuckers (KH-2) or EMG 81/60 (Les Paul Custom, as used by Hammett in early 90s)

Amp Settings

gain0

bass6

mid4.5

treble7

reverb3.5

presence5.5

Effects & Signal Chain

chorusUnknown Chorus pedal (model unknown)

Notes

Studio recording, 1991. Kirk Hammett used his ESP KH-2 with EMG pickups and a Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ for clean tones on 'Nothing Else Matters'. Some sources mention a Gibson Les Paul Custom with EMGs as well. Clean solo section uses neck pickup. No evidence of live rig or other guitars for the original studio clean solo.

Tone Character(10)

warm and smoothrounded neck pickup soundclear and articulateslightly compressedlush with reverbsubtle chorus shimmersinging sustainnot harsh or brittlebalanced EQsoft attack

Difficulty

The solo is intermediate due to its melodic phrasing, expressive bends, and the need for clean, controlled playing with subtle dynamics.

Sources

Nothing Else Matters Solo Tone : r/Metallica - Reddit Metallica - Nothing Else Matters amp settings.... - forum topic Kirk Hammett's Guitars, Gear, Wah & Amps | Equipboard Nothing Else Matters Solo : r/Guitar - Reddit

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