How to Dial In "The View" by Metallica - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "The View"
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 Lulu (2011). Lulu is a collaborative studio album by the American rock singer-songwriter Lou Reed and the American thrash metal band Metallica, released on October 31, 2011, through Warner Bros. The song's Wikipedia article says it is the only track on Lulu with a guitar solo, added after Kirk Hammett encouraged Lou Reed to allow one. It does not name the guitars or amps, so an ESP LTD Iron Cross James Hetfield through a Mesa Boogie Mark IIC+ Reissue, the nearest rig we use for Metallica's other songs, stands in. Set the amp to a driven, high-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Published transcriptions put it in drop D.
Common Questions About the "The View" Tone
What guitar did Metallica use on "The View"?
The guitar on "The View" (released 2011) 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 Drop D (D A D G B E), so retune before you dial anything in.
What amp settings does "The View" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 7.5, Bass 5.5, 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 "The View" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "The View" 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 View" by Metallica are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.