Riff Tone

Through the Never

Metallica

Guitarmetal1990s

Original Gear

GuitarESP MX220 'Eet Fuk' (custom Explorer-style, 1989-1991, white finish)

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

PickupsEMG 81 (bridge, active humbucker)

Amp Settings

gain8

bass6

mid3.5

treble7.5

reverb0

presence6.5

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording for 'Metallica' (The Black Album), 1991. James Hetfield used his ESP MX220 'Eet Fuk' with EMG 81 bridge pickup into a Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ head, no confirmed pedals for rhythm/riff section. No evidence of live rig or alternate guitars/amps for this specific song section.

Tone Character(10)

tight and percussivescooped midsaggressive palm mutinghigh-gain saturationchunky low endrazor-sharp treblearticulate attackdry and immediateminimal ambiencerhythmic precision

Difficulty

The riff requires fast, consistent alternate picking with tight palm muting and precise rhythm, demanding advanced right-hand technique and stamina.

Sources

Metallica Amp Settings (2026): James Hetfield Tone and EQ Guide - Guitar Chalk James Hetfield's Guitar Gear, Amps & Pedalboard Best Metallica tone settings for the new Mesa amp??

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