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Solo Tone

Sad But True

Metallica

Guitarmetal1990s

Original Gear

GuitarESP MX-220 (black finish)

AmpMesa/Boogie Mark IIC++

PickupsEMG 81 (bridge), EMG 60 (neck), bridge pickup used

Amp Settings

gain8.5

bass4

mid1.5

treble6

reverb0

presence4.5

Effects & Signal Chain

eqAphex Aphex EQF-2 Parametric EQ

compressionAphex Aphex CX-1 Compressor/Expander

Notes

Studio recording, 1991, The Black Album sessions. Multiple amps layered, but Mark IIC++ is the core for the solo. Effects loop used for EQ and compression. D standard tuning.

Tone Character(10)

tight and percussivescooped midsaggressive palm mutinghigh-gain saturationthick, layered soundarticulate attacksinging sustain in solodry, in-your-face presencecrushing low endslightly compressed

Difficulty

The solo requires intermediate technique, with expressive bends, vibrato, and precise picking at a slow tempo. The high-gain setting demands control to avoid unwanted noise.

Sources

James Hetfield's guitar tone on Metallica's Sad But True Playing 'sad but true' by Metallica. I can't find good settings ... - Reddit

This tone has been researched 3 times by the community

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Guitarmetal1990s

Original Gear

GuitarESP MX-220 (black finish)

AmpMesa/Boogie Mark IIC++

PickupsEMG 81 (bridge), EMG 60 (neck), bridge pickup used

Amp Settings

gain8.5

bass4

mid1.5

treble6

reverb0

presence4.5

Effects & Signal Chain

eqAphex Aphex EQF-2 Parametric EQ

compressionAphex Aphex CX-1 Compressor/Expander

Sources

James Hetfield's guitar tone on Metallica's Sad But True Playing 'sad but true' by Metallica. I can't find good settings ... - Reddit

This tone has been researched 3 times by the community

Notes

Studio recording, 1991, The Black Album sessions. Multiple amps layered, but Mark IIC++ is the core for the solo. Effects loop used for EQ and compression. D standard tuning.

Tone Character(10)

tight and percussivescooped midsaggressive palm mutinghigh-gain saturationthick, layered soundarticulate attacksinging sustain in solodry, in-your-face presencecrushing low endslightly compressed

Difficulty

The solo requires intermediate technique, with expressive bends, vibrato, and precise picking at a slow tempo. The high-gain setting demands control to avoid unwanted noise.

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Sad But True settings for your amp

Exact settings ToneAdapt players use on these amps.

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Sad But True by Metallica — Solo Tone Settings | ToneAdapt