Solo Tone

Nothing Else Matters

Metallica

Guitarmetal1990s

Original Gear

GuitarESP KH-2 (Kirk Hammett Signature, 1991 era)

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

PickupsEMG 81 (bridge), EMG 60 (neck) active humbuckers

Amp Settings

gain6.5

bass5.5

mid5.5

treble7.5

reverb2.5

presence6.5

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording for Metallica's 'Black Album' (1991). Kirk Hammett used his ESP KH-2 with EMG pickups and a Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ amp for the solo. No confirmed wah on this solo. No confirmed chorus or delay pedal, but moderate amp reverb is present. Settings are estimated based on genre, era, and typical Mark IIC+ usage for Metallica solos.

Tone Character(10)

warm and smoothsinging sustainbalanced EQarticulate lead linesmoderate compressionhigh-gain saturationclear note separationmelodic phrasingslightly scooped lowspresent mids and highs

Difficulty

The solo requires intermediate lead technique, with expressive bends, vibrato, and melodic phrasing, but does not demand advanced speed or complex shred techniques.

Sources

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

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