Solo Tone

Trapped Under Ice

Metallica

Guitarmetal1980s

Original Gear

GuitarESP M-II (1980s, custom for Kirk Hammett)

AmpMesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ head into Marshall 4x12 cabinet (Celestion speakers)

PickupsSeymour Duncan SH-4 JB (bridge humbucker), SH-1 '59 (neck humbucker)

Amp Settings

gain7.5

bass5.5

mid2

treble8.5

reverb0.5

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

overdriveIbanez Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer

Notes

Studio recording, 1984. Kirk Hammett solo. No evidence of live or modern digital rigs for this era. All gear and settings refer to the original studio recording of 'Trapped Under Ice' solo.

Tone Character(10)

tight and percussivescooped midsaggressive palm mutinghigh-gain saturationbright and articulate leadsharp treble attackminimal ambiencefast note decaycutting bridge pickup toneclear note separation

Difficulty

The solo features fast alternate picking, rapid legato passages, and precise palm muting, making it challenging for most intermediate players and requiring advanced picking and coordination skills.

Sources

Metallica Amp Settings - forum topic | Ultimate Guitar Why Metallica converted to Axe-Fx: Kirk Hammett’s guitar tech explains | Guitar World

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