lead guitar from “master of puppets” by metallica | ToneDB
master of puppets
metallica
lead guitar
Tone Profile
Aggressive and tight high-gain rhythm tone with a scooped mid-range, providing a powerful and articulate sound perfect for thrash metal. It's characterized by clarity, punch, and controlled sustain.
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The Story
Metallica's 'Master of Puppets' lead guitar tone was recorded at Sweet Silence Studios in Copenhagen using James Hetfield's ESP Explorer through a Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ amplifier. Producer Flemming Rasmussen captured the sound with a Shure SM57 microphone, and an Ibanez Tube Screamer TS808 was used as a boost to tighten the amp's low-end response. Multiple guitar tracks were layered to create the album's thick, aggressive thrash metal sound.
Production Credits
Producer: Flemming Rasmussen
Engineer: Flemming Rasmussen
Recorded at: Sweet Silence Studios, Copenhagen
Signal Chain
Instrument: ESP ExplorerShop on Reverb
Amp: Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+Shop on Reverb
Microphone: Shure SM57Shop on Reverb
Processing: Ibanez Tube Screamer TS808Shop on Reverb
Recreation Tips
- Use an ESP Explorer style guitar with active pickups for a similar attack and sustain.
- Set the Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ to a high-gain setting, focusing on clarity and articulation.
- Use an Ibanez Tube Screamer with the drive set low, as a clean boost to tighten the amp's response.
- Experiment with mic placement to capture the cabinet's aggressive sound.
Original Gear
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Substitutions & Recommendations
Alternative to: Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+
Modern recreation of the Mark series with the IIC+ mode that captures the original's high-gain clarity and tight response
Alternative to: Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+
Accurate digital modeling of the Mesa Mark IIC+ with the scooped, aggressive high-gain character needed for thrash
Alternative to: ESP Explorer
Modern ESP Explorer with active EMG pickups providing the same aggressive attack and sustain as the original
Alternative to: Ibanez Tube Screamer TS808
Exact reissue of the original TS808 used to boost and tighten the Mark IIC+ for the Master of Puppets sessions
Alternative to: ESP Explorer
Budget Explorer-style guitar that with pickup upgrades can deliver similar mahogany body tone and sustain
Alternative to: Ibanez Tube Screamer TS808
Budget alternative that provides similar mid-range boost and amp tightening when used as a clean boost
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