Riff Tone

One (Live)

Metallica

Guitarmetal1980s

Original Gear

GuitarESP 400 Series Strat-style (Kirk Hammett, live 1988-1993 era)

AmpMesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ Head (live, late 1980s/early 1990s)

PickupsSeymour Duncan Hot Rails single-coil-sized humbucker (bridge), stock single coils (neck/middle)

Amp Settings

gain0

bass5.5

mid3.5

treble7

reverb2

presence5.5

Effects & Signal Chain

chorusUnknown Chorus/Flanger pedal (model unknown)

Notes

Live performance, late 1980s/early 1990s. Kirk Hammett played the clean intro/riff on an ESP 400 Series Strat-style guitar through a Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ head. No evidence of additional pedals for the clean section; effects are likely rack or amp-based. Settings estimated based on typical Mark IIC+ clean channel use for this era and genre.

Tone Character(10)

crystal-clear and glassybright and articulateslightly scooped midsbell-like top endshimmering modulation (chorus/flanger)spacious with subtle reverbdynamic and percussive attackclean sustainno audible breakuptight low end

Difficulty

The clean riff requires accurate arpeggiated picking and muting to maintain clarity, but does not involve advanced techniques or high speed, making it accessible to intermediate players.

Sources

Metallica – ...And Justice for All (Remastered) - Gear & Equipment Used on the Album | Equipboard James Hetfield's Guitar Gear, Amps & Pedalboard | Equipboard One tone : r/Metallica - Reddit

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