Tone Profile

A searing, high-gain lead tone defined by aggressive wah-wah modulation and a cutting, articulate character that slices through the mix. It's saturated yet clear, with a relatively dry ambiance characteristic of the *...And Justice for All* album.

Production Credits

Signal Chain

Recording Notes

• Recorded at One on One Recording Studios, Los Angeles, CA, in 1988.
• Produced by Metallica and Flemming Rasmussen; mixed by Steve Thompson and Michael Barbiero.
• The *...And Justice for All* album is noted for its dry, aggressive sound, scooped midrange on rhythm guitars, and a controversial mix with very low bass guitar levels.
• Kirk Hammett's solos were meticulously crafted, often involving Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ or Quad Preamps, and sometimes a modified Marshall for variation.
• Microphones used included Shure SM57s, often blended with other mics like B&K 4006s (now DPA) for ambience or character.

Recreation Tips

• Start with a guitar equipped with active EMG 81 pickups or similar high-output active humbuckers.
• Use a high-gain amplifier with a Mesa/Boogie Mark-series voicing (e.g., Mark IIC+, Mark IV, JP-2C). Dial in high gain but ensure note clarity.
• A Dunlop Cry Baby wah is absolutely essential; practice expressive sweeps in sync with your phrasing, a hallmark of Kirk's style.
• Employ a graphic EQ to shape the tone. While the album's rhythm is famously scooped, solos might require a slight mid-boost to cut through, or experiment with the classic 'V' curve.
• Use a short-to-medium digital delay for space and trails, avoiding excessive reverb to maintain the dry, tight character of the album.
• Focus on precise, aggressive alternate picking and articulate fretting for fast passages.
• Consider a noise gate for managing high-gain hiss, especially during pauses in the solo.

Original Gear

• ESP KH-2 Kirk Hammett Signature Guitar(guitar)
• EMG 81 Active Humbucker Pickup(pickup)
• Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ Amplifier Head(amp)
• Mesa/Boogie JP-2C John Petrucci Signature Amplifier (Modern Mesa Mark-series equivalent)(amp)
• Dunlop GCB95 Cry Baby Standard Wah Pedal(pedal)
• Boss GE-7 Graphic Equalizer Pedal(pedal)
• Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer Overdrive Pedal(pedal)
• TC Electronic Flashback 2 Delay Pedal (for 2290-style delays)(pedal)
• Shure SM57 Instrument Microphone(mic)
• Celestion Vintage 30 Speaker(speaker)
• Mesa/Boogie Rectifier Standard 4x12 Slant Cabinet(cabinet)