Song Rig

Seek & Destroy

Kirk Hammett · Kill 'Em All · 1983

Tone Overview

What Makes This Sound Unique

The earliest significant Kirk Hammett lead tone — pre-EMG pickups, pre-Mesa Boogie, just a Marshall and a stock guitar producing the raw, slightly unpolished sound of thrash metal at its inception. The tone is brighter and less controlled than the later Metallica recordings, with more pick noise and string squeal.

Signal Chain

1B.C. Rich Ironbird or Flying V (stock humbuckers)
2Marshall JCM800 (early 2210 model)
3MXR Distortion+

Amp Settings

Gain / Volume8

Bass6

Mid6

Treble8

Presence8

Earlier, rawer Marshall tone than the later Metallica records — the Kill 'Em All production was recorded quickly on a limited budget, and the guitar tone reflects that directness. Less processing, more amp.

Technique

How to Play It

Kirk's early technique is visibly influenced by his hero Dave Mustaine's frantic alternate picking combined with Hendrix-influenced wah use — the Seek & Destroy solo is rawer and more improvisational than his later work.

Budget Alternative

Achievable With

Flying V or V-shaped guitar → MXR Distortion+ or Boss DS-1 → Marshall JCM800 → Boss GE-7 for slight mid boost. The rawness of Kill 'Em All is partly the recording budget — avoid heavy studio processing.

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