Tone library / Metallica / The Shortest Straw

The Shortest Straw amp settings — Yamaha THR30II

The Metallica guitar tone for “The Shortest Straw”, dialed in for a Yamaha THR30II with a Yamaha Pacifica 112V. Studio track, ...And Justice for All (1988), iconic rhythm track

Original rig

ESP MX-220 with EMG 81 pickups into Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC++ head (V-curve 5-band graphic EQ) into Marshall 1960B 4x12 cabs

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

Amp settings — Yamaha THR30II

CHANNELModern mode (Lead amp type)

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	7
Bass	8
Mid	2
Treble	7
Reverb	0
Master	6

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Compressor / Noise Gate (THR App)

Enable via the Yamaha THR Remote app to clamp down on palm-muted chugs

Sustain 3 · Threshold 7

Why these settings

The Yamaha THR30II has a 3-band EQ panel with no physical presence knob. Using the Modern amp mode gives you the tight Mesa Mark-series high-gain structure, while aggressively cutting the mid knob to 2 replicates the famous Mark IIC+ 750Hz graphic EQ V-scoop. Because your Pacifica 112V bridge humbucker is passive and slightly brighter than Hetfield's active EMG 81, bass is pushed to 8 to restore punch without adding mud.

PRO TIPLock into James Hetfield's strict downpicking technique on all low-E chugs and palm-mute tight against the bridge saddles to get that percussive, mechanical attack.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Yamaha THR30II. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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