Solo Tone

The Unforgiven

Metallica

Guitarmetal1990s

Original Gear

GuitarESP KH-2 (Kirk Hammett signature, likely used for clean solo sections on 'The Unforgiven')

AmpMesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (studio recording, 1991 era)

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

Amp Settings

gain0

bass5.5

mid4.5

treble7

reverb2

presence5.5

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 1991. Clean solo section. No evidence of alternate guitars or amps for the clean solo; ESP KH-2 with EMGs and Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ is the most documented studio rig for this era. No confirmed pedal use for clean solo.

Tone Character(10)

warm and smoothbell-like clarityslightly compressedclear note separationsubtle reverb ambiencenot brittle or harshmedium dynamic responsefull-bodied cleanrounded highsarticulate single notes

Difficulty

The solo requires intermediate-level phrasing, clean articulation, and dynamic control, but does not involve advanced speed or complex techniques.

Sources

James Hetfield's Guitar Gear, Amps & Pedalboard Kirk Hammett's Guitars, Gear, Wah & Amps Unforgiven clean chorus/intro tone? : r/BossKatana

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