Solo Tone
One (Radio Edit)
Metallica
Guitarmetal1980s
Original Gear
GuitarESP KH-2 (Kirk Hammett Signature, 1987-1988 era, likely with Floyd Rose tremolo)
AmpMesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ head into Marshall 4x12 cabinet (studio recording, 1988)
PickupsEMG 81 (bridge, active humbucker)
Amp Settings
gain8
bass6
mid3.5
treble7.5
reverb0
presence6.5
Effects & Signal Chain
wahDunlop Dunlop Cry Baby Wah (model likely GCB95 or original Cry Baby)
delayUnknown Delay pedal (model unknown, likely Boss DD-2 or rack delay)
Notes
Studio recording for 'One' (And Justice for All, 1988). Kirk Hammett used his ESP KH-2 with EMG 81 active pickups for the solo. Amp was a Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ head, which was the primary amp for solos on this album. No evidence of live rig or other amps for the studio solo. Wah and delay are clearly audible in the solo.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussivescooped midssinging sustainaggressive palm mutingfluid legato runswah-filtered lead phrasingcrisp attackarticulate note separationhigh-gain saturationdelayed repeats on solo phrases
Difficulty
The solo requires advanced techniques such as fast alternate picking, expressive wah pedal use, legato/tapping, and tight palm muting, making it challenging for most intermediate players.
Sources
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Create Free AccountGuitarmetal1980s
Original Gear
GuitarESP KH-2 (Kirk Hammett Signature, 1987-1988 era, likely with Floyd Rose tremolo)
AmpMesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ head into Marshall 4x12 cabinet (studio recording, 1988)
PickupsEMG 81 (bridge, active humbucker)
Amp Settings
gain8
bass6
mid3.5
treble7.5
reverb0
presence6.5
Effects & Signal Chain
wahDunlop Dunlop Cry Baby Wah (model likely GCB95 or original Cry Baby)
delayUnknown Delay pedal (model unknown, likely Boss DD-2 or rack delay)
Notes
Studio recording for 'One' (And Justice for All, 1988). Kirk Hammett used his ESP KH-2 with EMG 81 active pickups for the solo. Amp was a Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ head, which was the primary amp for solos on this album. No evidence of live rig or other amps for the studio solo. Wah and delay are clearly audible in the solo.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussivescooped midssinging sustainaggressive palm mutingfluid legato runswah-filtered lead phrasingcrisp attackarticulate note separationhigh-gain saturationdelayed repeats on solo phrases
Difficulty
The solo requires advanced techniques such as fast alternate picking, expressive wah pedal use, legato/tapping, and tight palm muting, making it challenging for most intermediate players.
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