Thrash Metal1988...And Justice for All

Harvester of Sorrow Amp Settings

by Metallica

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Original Recording Settings

Well-SourcedResearched tone data for "Harvester of Sorrow" by Metallica

Original Gear

Guitar: ESP MX-220 'Eet Fuk' (Olympic White) / Gibson Explorer 'So What'
Pickups: EMG 81 (bridge) / EMG 60 (neck) (bridge (EMG 81 primary for all rhythm))
Amplifier: Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC++
Channel: Lead channel
Tuning: standard
Pickup Selector: bridge
Strings: .011–.048

The unit Hetfield 'borrowed' from Kirk Hammett after Master of Puppets. Power amp: Mesa/Boogie Strategy 400. B&B/Aphex EQF-2 Parametric Equalizer in effects loop for extreme mid-scoop. ADA MP-1 preamp also in rack. Cabinets: Marshall 1960B 4×12.

Amp Settings

Gain

10.0

Bass

3.0

Mid

0.0

Treble

7.0

Presence

3.0

Volume

10.0

Extrapolated from documented Black Album IIC++ settings. AJFA is even more aggressively scooped. Graphic EQ: deep V-shape — heavy cut at 750Hz, boost at 80Hz and 6600Hz.

Effects Chain

→

B&B/Aphex EQF-2 Parametric Equalizer

parametric EQ

→

ADA 2FX Multi-Effects

multi-effects

→

Rocktron Compressor/Limiter/Hush

noise gate/compressor

→

1.B&B/Aphex EQF-2 Parametric Equalizer — In effects loop — critical for the extreme mid-scooping that defines the AJFA tone.

2.ADA 2FX Multi-Effects — Studio processing.

3.Rocktron Compressor/Limiter/Hush — Noise management for high-gain setup.

Playing Technique

Hetfield's signature strict downpicking. Triple-tracked rhythm guitars. Dunlop Tortex .88mm green picks. Heavy palm muting.

Sources+

MetallicaGearHistory.com ('Crunchberries' amp article): Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC++ documentation, B&B/Aphex EQF-2 parametric EQ usage.
Ground Guitar, Equipboard (James Hetfield): ESP MX-220, EMG pickups, Strategy 400 power amp.
Hetfield in Guitar World 1991: amp settings context and graphic EQ approach.