Metallica is a renowned metal band known for their iconic riffs and heavy sound. They are one of the best-selling metal bands of all time, and have consistently used electric guitars to achieve their signature sound.
One of Metallica’s most popular guitar choices is the Gibson Flying V. This classic electric guitar was famously used by guitarist Kirk Hammett throughout Metallica’s career. It has been featured on some of the band’s most famous records, including “Ride The Lightning” and “Master of Puppets.”
The Gibson Flying V is well-known for its unique shape and bright, powerful sound. It has two humbucker pickups that provide a wide range of tones, from thick and chunky rhythm tones to soaring lead sounds.
In addition to the Gibson Flying V, Metallica also uses other electric guitars such as Fender Stratocasters, Rickenbackers, and ESPs. These instruments provide the band with a variety of sounds that help bring their songs to life.
Whether you’re a fan of Metallica or just looking to get into metal music, understanding what electric guitar does Metallica use can help you create your own unique sound.
James Hetfield’s Guitars
James Hetfield, the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of Metallica, is well known for his unique playing style. He is often seen playing Gibson and ESP guitars onstage. For most of his career, he has been using a modified Gibson Explorer. He also uses several ESP models such as the LTD Viper, the LTD Snakebyte, and the Iron Cross. He often uses different pickups and finishes to customize his guitars to create a unique sound. Recently, he has even begun exploring signature models with both companies.
In addition to these mainstay guitars, James has been spotted playing various other instruments throughout Metallica’s career including Jackson and Fender Stratocasters as well as a Hagstrom Viking II. He also uses various effects pedals such as the MXR Phase 90 and Fulltone OCD to create interesting textures in his live sound. Whatever the instrument or effect may be, Hetfield consistently delivers powerful riffs that define Metallica’s signature sound.
Gibson Les Pauls Used By Metallica
Metallica have been one of the most influential metal bands since the early 1980s, and their iconic sound has been defined by their use of Gibson Les Paul electric guitars. The band have relied on these instruments since they first began, and they have had a long history of experimenting with different versions over the years. From the classic single-cutaway models to the more modern double-cutaways, Metallica have always managed to find a way to make these guitars work for their music.
The band’s signature sound is largely rooted in their use of Gibson Les Pauls, and they have used a range of different models over the years. James Hetfield has famously relied on a variety of different Les Pauls for his rhythm playing, while Kirk Hammett is known for his use of custom-made ‘Kirk Hammett Signature’ models. No matter what type of guitar Metallica use, it’s clear that the Gibson Les Paul has become an essential part of their sound.
ESP Guitars Used By Metallica
Metallica, one of the greatest and most influential heavy metal bands of all time, have been using ESP guitars since the mid-1980s. ESP guitars have become a staple in Metallica’s sound, providing a cutting edge and powerful tone that has been admired by fans and musicians alike. ESP guitars are known for their versatility, and Metallica have used them to craft an array of classic metal riffs over the years. From Kirk Hammett’s iconic lead guitar playing on tracks such as “Master of Puppets” to James Hetfield’s iconic rhythm playing on songs like “Enter Sandman,” Metallica have made full use of the power and tonal possibilities offered by their ESP guitars. ESP’s quality craftsmanship and attention to detail has allowed Metallica to create some of the most memorable metal riffs ever written. Today, Metallica continue to use ESP guitars for their live shows, further cementing their place as one of the most important acts in heavy metal history.
Different Guitars Used in Metallica Performances
Metallica has been known for its iconic guitar riffs and solos since the band’s inception. As one of the most influential rock bands of all time, it’s no surprise that Metallica has used a variety of electric guitars over the years. From classic single-coil Stratocasters to modern high-output humbuckers, Metallica has used a range of different guitars to bring their unique sound to life.
In the studio, James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett can be seen playing various Fender and Gibson models, including the Gibson Les Paul and Fender Stratocaster. Live performances have seen them playing Gibson Flying V’s and ESP Explorer’s as well as custom-made ESP Vipers. Other popular choices include Jackson Soloist, Ibanez S series, and Charvel San Dimas models. No matter what they play, Metallica always delivers an electrifying performance.
Distortion Pedals Used By Metallica
Metallica has been known to use a variety of distortion pedals to shape their sound. The most popular distortion pedals used by the band were the Boss DS-1, MXR Distortion+, ProCo Rat, and Ibanez TS-9 Tube Screamer. All of these pedals were used extensively in the recording of classic albums such as Master of Puppets and Ride the Lightning.
In addition to these pedals, Metallica has also been known to use other effects such as wah-wahs and fuzz boxes. These effects can be heard on songs like “One” and “Enter Sandman”. The band also uses rack-mounted effects such as chorus, flanger, and delay that help create their signature sound.
Metallica’s main instruments are Gibson Les Pauls and Fender Stratocasters. However, they have also been known to use various other electric guitars such as Jackson Soloists and Rickenbacker 4003s. The combination of these instruments with different distortion pedals allows them to create an array of sounds that make their music unique.
Amplifiers Used By Metallica
Metallica have used an array of amplifiers throughout their career, from Marshall stacks to Mesa Boogie. The most iconic of their amps is the Marshall JCM800, which they have used since the ’80s and can be heard on many of their classic albums. They also use Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier and Mark V amplifiers, as well as a selection of other boutique models. In recent years they have been experimenting with vintage Fender Twin Reverb amps. In terms of electric guitars, Metallica makes use of a variety of Gibson models such as the Les Paul and SG Standard, as well as Fender Strats and Jacksons. The band has also recently added a few custom ESP guitars to their arsenal. All these guitars are routed through their signature amplifiers to create the iconic Metallica sound.
The Bottom Line
Metallica has been using electric guitars since their start in 1981. The band members have used a variety of different models, including the Jackson Soloist, Gibson Les Paul, and ESP Horizon. In 2020, they have been seen playing with the ESP Eclipse II. This guitar is known for its playability and versatility, which allows Metallica to craft their unique sound. No matter what guitar they use, Metallica always delivers a powerful performance. The combination of their skillful playing and the right instrument make them a legendary band that will continue to influence generations of musicians to come.
