lead guitar from “enter sandman” by metallica | ToneDB
enter sandman
metallica
lead guitar
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.
Shop This Rig
ToneDB may earn a commission from purchases made through these links.
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 PaulShop on Reverb
Amp: Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+Shop on Reverb
Microphone: Shure SM57Shop on Reverb
Processing: Ibanez Tube Screamer TS808Shop on Reverb
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
ToneDB may earn a commission from purchases made through these links.
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
Alternative 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
Alternative to: Gibson Les Paul Custom
Budget option with similar mahogany construction and humbucker pickups that delivers the fundamental Les Paul midrange chunk and sustain
Alternative 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
Alternative 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
Frequently Asked Questions
Community Insights
No community insights yet. Be the first to contribute!