rhythm guitar from “enter sandman” by metallica | ToneDB
enter sandman
metallica
rhythm guitar
AI generatedv1.0
Tone Profile
A high-gain, tight, and aggressive rhythm guitar tone with a scooped midrange, providing a powerful and clear sound, perfect for driving heavy riffs.
Gear
- ESP Explorerinstrument
- Reverb$1499Sweetwater
- Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+amp
- ReverbSweetwater
- Shure SM57microphone
- ReverbSweetwater
- Ibanez Tube Screamer TS808processing
- Reverb$120Sweetwater
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The Story
"Enter Sandman" was recorded at One on One Recording Studios in Los Angeles with producer Bob Rock and engineer Randy Staub. James Hetfield used his ESP Explorer guitar through a Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ amplifier, with an Ibanez TS808 Tube Screamer used as a clean boost to tighten the low end. The guitar cabinet was close-miked with a Shure SM57, and the rhythm guitars were double-tracked to create the song's massive, aggressive sound.
Production Credits
Producer: Bob Rock
Engineer: Randy Staub
Recorded at: One on One Recording Studios, Los Angeles
Signal Chain
Instrument: ESP Explorer
Amp: Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+
Microphone: Shure SM57
Processing: Ibanez Tube Screamer TS808
Recreation Tips
- Use an ESP Explorer or similar guitar with high-output humbuckers.
- Dial in a Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ or similar amp with high gain, scooping the midrange for a modern metal sound.
- Use an Ibanez Tube Screamer with the drive set low as a clean boost to tighten the tone.
- Experiment with microphone placement on the cabinet to find the sweet spot.
- Double-track the guitar parts to add thickness and width.
Original Gear
- ESP Explorer(guitar)
- Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+(amp)
- Shure SM57(mic)
- Ibanez Tube Screamer TS808(pedal)
Substitutions & Recommendations
Alternative to: Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+
Includes the Mark IIC+ mode that captures the original's tight, scooped high-gain character
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+
Digital recreation of the Mark IIC+ with built-in Tube Screamer modeling for the complete signal chain
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: ESP Explorer
Affordable version of Hetfield's Explorer with high-output EMG-style pickups for aggressive metal tones
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Ibanez TS808 Tube Screamer
Budget alternative that provides similar midrange boost and low-end tightening when used as a clean boost
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Ibanez TS808 Tube Screamer
Exact reissue of the original pedal used on the recording for authentic boost characteristics
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: ESP Explorer
Higher-end version closer to Hetfield's original with premium woods and EMG pickups
ReverbSweetwaterFrequently Asked Questions
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