Song Rig

Orion

Kirk Hammett · Master of Puppets · 1986

Tone Overview

What Makes This Sound Unique

Metallica's most melodic instrumental — Kirk's lead sections demonstrate the lyrical side of his playing rarely heard through the thrash metal rhythm work. The tone shifts between a clean, atmospheric middle section and the aggressive Marshall lead tone for the heavier bookends.

Signal Chain

1ESP M-I Custom (bridge EMG 81)
2Marshall JCM800 2203 (lead channel)
3Roland JC-120 (clean ambient middle section)
4Boss DD-2 Delay

Amp Settings

Gain / Volume8

Bass6

Mid6

Treble8

Presence8

The clean middle section uses the JC-120 rather than the JCM800 — two separate amp tones within the same song. The clean section has significant reverb and chorus; the heavy bookends use the dry JCM800 lead channel.

Technique

How to Play It

Melodic single-note lines with deliberate phrasing — the middle section of Orion shows Kirk's blues influence, using pentatonic positions but with a more considered, less frantic approach than his solo work on conventional thrash tracks.

Budget Alternative

Achievable With

EMG-equipped guitar → Marshall JCM800 or Boss Metal Zone for heavy sections → Roland JC-120 or any clean amp with Boss CE-2 Chorus for the clean middle section → Boss DD-3 Delay throughout.

Your Gear