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lead guitar from “master of puppets” by metallica | ToneDB

master of puppets

metallica

lead guitar

AI generatedv1.0

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.

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

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 Explorer

Amp: Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+

Microphone: Shure SM57

Processing: Ibanez Tube Screamer TS808

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

  • ESP Explorer(guitar)
  • Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+(amp)
  • Shure SM57(mic)
  • Ibanez Tube Screamer TS808(pedal)

Substitutions & Recommendations

Mesa/Boogie Mark V:90$2200-$2500

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

ReverbSweetwater
Neural DSP Fortin Cali Suite$120-$140

Alternative to: Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+

Accurate digital modeling of the Mesa Mark IIC+ with the scooped, aggressive high-gain character needed for thrash

ReverbSweetwater
ESP E-II Explorer$1200-$1500

Alternative to: ESP Explorer

Modern ESP Explorer with active EMG pickups providing the same aggressive attack and sustain as the original

ReverbSweetwater
Ibanez TS808 Tube Screamer Reissue$150-$180

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

ReverbSweetwater
Epiphone Explorer$300-$400

Alternative to: ESP Explorer

Budget Explorer-style guitar that with pickup upgrades can deliver similar mahogany body tone and sustain

ReverbSweetwater
Boss SD-1 Super Overdrive$50-$70

Alternative to: Ibanez Tube Screamer TS808

Budget alternative that provides similar mid-range boost and amp tightening when used as a clean boost

ReverbSweetwater

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

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