Solo Tone

Room of Mirrors

Metallica

Guitarmetal2010s+

Original Gear

GuitarESP KH-2 (Kirk Hammett Signature, likely with EMG 81/60 pickups)

AmpFractal Audio Axe-Fx III (modeling Mesa/Boogie and Marshall amps, as per Metallica's 72 Seasons era studio setup)

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

Amp Settings

gain8.5

bass6

mid4

treble7.5

reverb1

presence6.5

Effects & Signal Chain

wahDunlop Dunlop KH95 Kirk Hammett Signature Cry Baby Wah (or digital model thereof)

Notes

Studio recording, 2022-2023, for '72 Seasons' album. Kirk Hammett's solos are tracked with his ESP KH-2 loaded with EMG active pickups, running into Fractal Axe-Fx III with high-gain Mesa/Boogie and Marshall models. No evidence of live amp cabs or analog pedals in the studio for this album. Settings estimated based on modern Metallica studio workflow and genre.

Tone Character(10)

aggressive wah-inflected leadtight and percussive attackscooped mids for claritysinging sustainmodern high-gain saturationarticulate note separationcutting upper midsslightly compressed dynamicsfast alternate picking clarityaudible wah sweep throughout solo

Difficulty

The solo requires advanced control of the wah pedal, fast alternate picking, and precise articulation to maintain note clarity at high speed and gain, making it challenging for most players.

Sources

Shadows Follow is like a track didn't make it to Justice.Kirk's view on 72 Seasons' solos. Opinions on this?What are best guitar harmonies Metallica has written?

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