Tone library / Metallica / The Shortest Straw

The Shortest Straw amp settings — Boss Katana Gen 3

The Metallica guitar tone for “The Shortest Straw”, dialed in for a Boss Katana Gen 3 with a Epiphone Les Paul Classic. Studio version, ...And Justice for All (1988), iconic rhythm track

Original rig

ESP MX-220 (EMG 81 bridge) -> Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC++ (classic 'V' 5-band graphic EQ) -> Marshall 1960B 4x12 cab

Ultra-tight, dry, scooped thrash rhythm with aggressive upper-mid attack and massive low-end punch

Amp settings — Boss Katana Gen 3

CHANNELLead amp typeBOOSTon

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	7
Bass	7
Mid	2
Treble	7
Reverb	0
Master	5

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Onboard Booster (Boss Katana Internal FX)

Internal Katana Clean Boost/Tube Screamer type assigned to front input to tighten low-end

Drive 0 · Tone 6 · Level 8

Why these settings

The Lead voice replicates the tight Mark IIC+ preamp saturation while pulling mids down to 2 mimics the iconic Mesa graphic EQ V-curve. Because passive Epiphone humbuckers lack the extreme output and transient compression of active EMG 81s, the Katana's internal clean booster is engaged with zero drive and high level to instantly tighten bass response. The Katana 50/Gen 3 base models lack an external physical presence knob, so upper-end bite is dialed via treble at 7 with reverb kept completely at 0 for surgical dryness.

PRO TIPAnchor your palm directly over the bridge saddles and execute aggressive, all-downstroke palm muting with a rigid, heavy pick (1.0mm+) to nail the mechanical percussion of the Justice rhythm tone.

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These settings are for a Boss Katana Gen 3. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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