lead guitar from “enter sandman” by metallica | ToneDB
enter sandman
metallica
lead guitar
AI generatedv1.0
Tone Profile
A high-gain, aggressive, and articulate guitar tone with a tight low end and clear, present high frequencies, ideal for heavy riffs and soaring solos. The sound is massive and slightly scooped in the mids, providing a modern hard rock/metal edge.
Gear
- Gibson Les Paulinstrument
- ReverbSweetwater
- Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+amp
- ReverbSweetwater
- Shure SM57microphone
- ReverbSweetwater
- Ibanez Tube Screamer TS808processing
- Reverb$120Sweetwater
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The Story
James Hetfield recorded the "Enter Sandman" guitar tracks at Little Mountain Sound Studios in Vancouver with producer Bob Rock for Metallica's 1991 "Black Album". The core tone came from his Gibson Les Paul Custom through a Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ head, with an Ibanez TS808 Tube Screamer used to tighten the low end and add sustain. The amp was close-mic'd with a Shure SM57, and the guitar parts were doubled to create the massive, tight sound that defined the album.
Production Credits
Producer: Bob Rock
Engineer: Randy Staub
Recorded at: Little Mountain Sound Studios, Vancouver
Signal Chain
Instrument: Gibson Les Paul
Amp: Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+
Microphone: Shure SM57
Processing: Ibanez Tube Screamer TS808
Recreation Tips
- Start with a Gibson Les Paul or similar humbucker-equipped guitar.
- Use a Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ or similar high-gain amplifier.
- Dial in a tight, focused sound with a slightly scooped midrange.
- Add a Tube Screamer for extra gain and sustain.
- Experiment with microphone placement to find the sweet spot on the speaker cone.
- Double-track the guitar parts for added thickness and dimension.
Original Gear
- Gibson Les Paul(guitar)
- Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+(amp)
- Ibanez Tube Screamer TS808(pedal)
- Shure SM57(mic)
Substitutions & Recommendations
Alternative to: Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+
Direct descendant with Mark IIC+ mode that captures the original's cascading gain and tight low end response essential for Sandman's aggressive rhythm tone
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+
High-gain plugin with Mark-style amp models and built-in tube screamer that nails the scooped, articulate modern metal tone at a fraction of hardware cost
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Gibson Les Paul Custom
Budget option with similar mahogany construction and humbucker pickups that delivers the fundamental Les Paul midrange chunk and sustain
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Ibanez TS808 Tube Screamer
Similar mid-hump overdrive that tightens bass response and pushes amp gain, creating the focused attack needed for palm-muted riffs
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Gibson Les Paul Custom
Modern alternative with EMG or Seymour Duncan humbuckers that provides similar output and sustain with better fret access for lead work
ReverbSweetwaterFrequently Asked Questions
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