How to Dial In "The Shortest Straw" by Metallica - Guitar Tone Settings
The Gear Behind "The Shortest Straw"
Original Knob Positions, Pickup, and Tuning
Where to set the knobs for this tone. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale.
These numbers are for a Mark IIC+. On your amp, they won't sound the same.
Get the settings for my ampHow the artist had their guitar configured for this take.
E flat standard. The tone on ...And Justice for All is the most argued-about in metal: extremely dry, scooped, bass-light and clicky, with the bass guitar famously almost inaudible. Whether or not you like it, it is reproducible and specific — Hetfield's Mesa Mark IIC+ with the mids pulled well down, the bass rolled off, a lot of treble and presence, and no reverb at all. Set the bass lower than feels right; the weight is meant to come from the picking, not the EQ. This track is built on relentless downpicked sixteenths, and Hetfield's insistence on all-downstrokes is why it sounds so rigid. Recorded 1988 at One on One in Los Angeles with Flemming Rasmussen. Track the rhythm twice and pan hard.
Common Questions About the "The Shortest Straw" Tone
What guitar did Metallica use on "The Shortest Straw"?
Metallica tracked "The Shortest Straw" on a Gibson Explorer (released 1988). 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 "The Shortest Straw" need?
On a Mark IIC+: Gain 7, Bass 4, Mid 5, Treble 7.5, Presence 7, 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 "The Shortest Straw" without a Mark IIC+?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the original recipe above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "The Shortest Straw" 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.
More Tones You Can Dial In
Tone references for "The Shortest Straw" by Metallica are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.