How to Dial In "Low Man's Lyric" by Metallica - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Low Man's Lyric"
Suggested rig · the original isn't documented.
Knob Positions, Pickup, and Tuning
Where to set the knobs for this tone. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale.
On your amp, these numbers won't sound the same.
Get the settings for my ampHow the artist had their guitar configured for this take.
From Reload (1997). Reload (stylized as ReLoad) is the seventh studio album by American heavy metal band Metallica, released on November 18, 1997, through Elektra Records in the United States and Vertigo Records internationally. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so an ESP LTD Iron Cross James Hetfield through a Mesa Boogie Mark IIC+ Reissue, the nearest rig to the one documented for Metallica, stands in. Set the amp to a driven, high-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Published transcriptions put it in E♭ standard (E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭), a half step below standard.
Common Questions About the "Low Man's Lyric" Tone
What guitar did Metallica use on "Low Man's Lyric"?
The guitar on "Low Man's Lyric" (released 1997) isn't documented; the ESP LTD Iron Cross James Hetfield above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. The track is in E♭ Standard (E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭), so retune before you dial anything in.
What amp settings does "Low Man's Lyric" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 7, Bass 6, Mid 5, Treble 6.5, Presence 6, Volume 7. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale; match them on your amp first, then nudge to taste. ToneMirror can translate these positions for whatever amp you actually own.
Can I play "Low Man's Lyric" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Low Man's Lyric" tone on a Katana, a Helix, a tube combo, or anything else. The translation accounts for EQ curve, gain structure, and pickup type so the result actually sounds like the record, not just the same knob numbers on different gear.
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Tone references for "Low Man's Lyric" by Metallica are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.