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Solo Tone

Nothing Else Matters (Live)

Metallica

Guitarmetal1990s

Original Gear

GuitarESP MX-220 'So Fucking What' (Olympic White, 1987)
AmpMesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (Simul-Class, live setup often Mark V on IIC+ channel as substitute)
PickupsEMG 81 (bridge), EMG 60 (neck), active humbuckers

Amp Settings

gain6
bass5.5
mid4
treble7
reverb2
presence5.5

Effects & Signal Chain

delayUnknown Delay pedal (model unknown)

Notes

Live performance, early 1990s (Black Album era); James Hetfield played the solo on the ESP MX-220 with EMG 81/60 pickups through a Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ head. Settings and effects are for the distorted solo section, not the clean intro. Graphic EQ engaged for heavy/solo sections. Pickup selector set to neck for solo. Mesa Mark V IIC+ channel is a modern live substitute for the original IIC+.

Tone Character(10)
warm neck pickup sustainsinging, vocal-like lead tonemoderate gain with clarityscooped lower midsdefined low endpresence in high endsmooth attacklight reverb ambiencedelay repeats on solo notesnot overly compressed

Difficulty

The solo is moderately challenging due to its expressive phrasing, sustained bends, and the need for dynamic control and timing with delay. It is accessible for intermediate players but requires attention to tone and feel.

Sources

Tone Settings for Nothing Else Matters by Metallica (guitar and amp) - Guitar ChalkMetallica - Nothing Else Matters | Wiki @ Ultimate-Guitar.comNothing Else Matters Solo Tone : r/GuitarJames Hetfield's Guitars, Amps & Gear List

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Nothing Else Matters (Live) settings for your amp

Exact settings ToneAdapt players use on these amps.

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