
Metallica's rigs
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- settecorde76
- Mark II
- Posts: 85
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- Location: Vicenza, ITALY
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Metallica's rigs
Anyone could describe all Metallica's rigs, since the early years until today? I'm so curios...thanks a lot! 

MarkIIC 100W 06/1983 with 12" Black Shadow
Ada Splitstack 2x12 Celestion Equipped
Fender Ash Stratocaster with Suhr V60LP
Ibanez Blazer BL10
Ibanez Blazer BL300
http://www.myspace.com/fabriziocalderara
Ada Splitstack 2x12 Celestion Equipped
Fender Ash Stratocaster with Suhr V60LP
Ibanez Blazer BL10
Ibanez Blazer BL300
http://www.myspace.com/fabriziocalderara
Re: Metallica's rigs
There are numerous sites that have details..
but Kill em all, was Jose modded Marshalls
Ride the lightning was modded marshalls (the Kill em all were stolen)
Master of puppets was Mark II c+ with marshall poweramps
AJFA same as above.. maybe mark 3?
Black album, Marks II C+ , im guessing mark IV (some people say it wasnt out before the album, but i bet they had prototypes if that was the case)
Load / Reload / Garage inc.. Rectifiers , Triaxis
St. Anger - retifiers / triaxis / maybe marks? Diesel VH4
the new one - same as st anger (with slightly better production value on the record) maybe a Mark V prototype? (we know petrucci was touring with one) (maybe kirk even used his signature Randall amp)
oh and from probably Master on... Roland Jazz chorus for clean sounds
but Kill em all, was Jose modded Marshalls
Ride the lightning was modded marshalls (the Kill em all were stolen)
Master of puppets was Mark II c+ with marshall poweramps
AJFA same as above.. maybe mark 3?
Black album, Marks II C+ , im guessing mark IV (some people say it wasnt out before the album, but i bet they had prototypes if that was the case)
Load / Reload / Garage inc.. Rectifiers , Triaxis
St. Anger - retifiers / triaxis / maybe marks? Diesel VH4
the new one - same as st anger (with slightly better production value on the record) maybe a Mark V prototype? (we know petrucci was touring with one) (maybe kirk even used his signature Randall amp)
oh and from probably Master on... Roland Jazz chorus for clean sounds
- Elpelotero
- Road King
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Re: Metallica's rigs
'92 Dual Recto Rev. D, Volume mod
'84 Mark IIC+ Coliseum
'85 Mark IIC++ DRG, V1 mod
Mesa Standard 4x12
1980's EV Thiele
Sold:
'92 Dual Recto Rev. C
'92 Dual Recto Rev. E
'05 Dual Recto 3ch
'84 Mark IIC+ DR
http://www.TheBoogieArchives.com
'84 Mark IIC+ Coliseum
'85 Mark IIC++ DRG, V1 mod
Mesa Standard 4x12
1980's EV Thiele
Sold:
'92 Dual Recto Rev. C
'92 Dual Recto Rev. E
'05 Dual Recto 3ch
'84 Mark IIC+ DR
http://www.TheBoogieArchives.com
- settecorde76
- Mark II
- Posts: 85
- Joined: Sun Jan 11, 2009 10:11 am
- Location: Vicenza, ITALY
- Contact:
Re: Metallica's rigs
Thanks to everyone....this site is a mine of gold! It's full of photos, descriptions and anectodes...great!Elpelotero wrote:http://www.freewebs.com/montyjay/


MarkIIC 100W 06/1983 with 12" Black Shadow
Ada Splitstack 2x12 Celestion Equipped
Fender Ash Stratocaster with Suhr V60LP
Ibanez Blazer BL10
Ibanez Blazer BL300
http://www.myspace.com/fabriziocalderara
Ada Splitstack 2x12 Celestion Equipped
Fender Ash Stratocaster with Suhr V60LP
Ibanez Blazer BL10
Ibanez Blazer BL300
http://www.myspace.com/fabriziocalderara
- FC Spoiler
- Mark II
- Posts: 62
- Joined: Sat May 19, 2007 3:10 am
- Location: Holland
Re: Metallica's rigs
Here's a pic of Cliff's Mesa rig (the only picture I know of)

Two D-180's plus some other stuff in the rack...
1 x 15 on top, 4 x 12 in the middle and another 4 x 12 under that (?) (might be a guitar cab)

Two D-180's plus some other stuff in the rack...
1 x 15 on top, 4 x 12 in the middle and another 4 x 12 under that (?) (might be a guitar cab)
You say you're a doctor of minds, don't stick that syringe in my arm.
"It's just medication to help you calm down, it really won't do any harm".
http://www.fcbass.com
http://www.damagedjustice.nl
-McBurtstedjillo-
"It's just medication to help you calm down, it really won't do any harm".
http://www.fcbass.com
http://www.damagedjustice.nl
-McBurtstedjillo-
Re: Metallica's rigs
Pictures of Metallica in the studio around 1985 is aviable.
James Hetfield is posing with his white Jackson King V
Behind him is the MKIIc+ on 4*12 Marshall cabs. Just halfstacks and there is 2 halfstacks and IIC+ heads.
There is another picture behind the mixing console and Cliff Burton is on the right so it must be the Puppets sessions in 1985. So to sum up. Puppets is Mesa heads and Marshall cabs.
Cliff's Mesa speakers were custom made. There is an interview on metclub.com where he mentions it.
There is a Mesa/Boogie Quad in the pictures from the Justice sessions.
James Hetfield is posing with his white Jackson King V
Behind him is the MKIIc+ on 4*12 Marshall cabs. Just halfstacks and there is 2 halfstacks and IIC+ heads.
There is another picture behind the mixing console and Cliff Burton is on the right so it must be the Puppets sessions in 1985. So to sum up. Puppets is Mesa heads and Marshall cabs.
Cliff's Mesa speakers were custom made. There is an interview on metclub.com where he mentions it.
There is a Mesa/Boogie Quad in the pictures from the Justice sessions.
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- Mark III
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Re: Metallica's rigs
This is by far my favorite pic of Cliff. Although I have seen metallica more than 35 times in concert, I never did get to see them with Cliff.FC Spoiler wrote:
Gibson LP STD 2007 Stock
Hamer Explorer w/ZW set
Strat DLX with Dimarzio AT1 and Cruisers
ESP MII DLX EMG 81/85
Mark 5:25
Mesa Mini Recto 1x12
DIY 1x12 Cab with Eminence Speakers
Mesa Metal Grille 4x12 (half open)
Hamer Explorer w/ZW set
Strat DLX with Dimarzio AT1 and Cruisers
ESP MII DLX EMG 81/85
Mark 5:25
Mesa Mini Recto 1x12
DIY 1x12 Cab with Eminence Speakers
Mesa Metal Grille 4x12 (half open)
- FC Spoiler
- Mark II
- Posts: 62
- Joined: Sat May 19, 2007 3:10 am
- Location: Holland
Re: Metallica's rigs
Link?Friedmett wrote:Pictures of Metallica in the studio around 1985 is aviable.
James Hetfield is posing with his white Jackson King V
Behind him is the MKIIc+ on 4*12 Marshall cabs. Just halfstacks and there is 2 halfstacks and IIC+ heads.
There is another picture behind the mixing console and Cliff Burton is on the right so it must be the Puppets sessions in 1985. So to sum up. Puppets is Mesa heads and Marshall cabs.
You say you're a doctor of minds, don't stick that syringe in my arm.
"It's just medication to help you calm down, it really won't do any harm".
http://www.fcbass.com
http://www.damagedjustice.nl
-McBurtstedjillo-
"It's just medication to help you calm down, it really won't do any harm".
http://www.fcbass.com
http://www.damagedjustice.nl
-McBurtstedjillo-
Re: Metallica's rigs


Second picture proves that the studio session is with Cliff and most likely to be 1985 with the Boogie amps and Jackson King V from the first picture.
Re: Metallica's rigs
check out the EQ curve on the mark.. its not a V
- Elpelotero
- Road King
- Posts: 4051
- Joined: Wed May 18, 2005 2:57 pm
- Location: MIA, NYC, CA
- Contact:
Re: Metallica's rigs
Where do you find amazing pictures like this???!!!! Do you work for the CIA or something? This is awesome material!
'92 Dual Recto Rev. D, Volume mod
'84 Mark IIC+ Coliseum
'85 Mark IIC++ DRG, V1 mod
Mesa Standard 4x12
1980's EV Thiele
Sold:
'92 Dual Recto Rev. C
'92 Dual Recto Rev. E
'05 Dual Recto 3ch
'84 Mark IIC+ DR
http://www.TheBoogieArchives.com
'84 Mark IIC+ Coliseum
'85 Mark IIC++ DRG, V1 mod
Mesa Standard 4x12
1980's EV Thiele
Sold:
'92 Dual Recto Rev. C
'92 Dual Recto Rev. E
'05 Dual Recto 3ch
'84 Mark IIC+ DR
http://www.TheBoogieArchives.com
- fluff191
- Donating Member
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- Location: Puyallup, WA
- Contact:
Re: Metallica's rigs
I was going to say the same thing! Incredible pictures! Just when ya think you have seen them all, some more pop up.dmcguitar wrote:check out the EQ curve on the mark.. its not a V
Schecter Guitars | Kemper Profiling Amplifier | Superior Drummer | REAPER
Videos: http://www.youtube.com/fluff191
Tunes: http://www.blackmetalbicycle.com
Videos: http://www.youtube.com/fluff191
Tunes: http://www.blackmetalbicycle.com
Re: Metallica's rigs
These 2 pictures are truly great.
I first saw the Jackson picture on the guitar site Jacksonpalace for Jackson lovers mostly based in Finland where Jacksons are held in high love for Metal instruments. Dave Mustaines old King V and the WASP Rhoads owner Jani is there among alot of others me included.
http://www.jacksonguitarpalace.com/
I was wondering what studio session it might came from. He got the King V in 1985 nearly a year before Dave Mustaine so that could be the Garage days EP or maybe earlier. I can't recall where I found the other but with Cliff it narrowed it down and it does look like the Sweet Silence studio to me. Mesa amps were Puppets, Marshalls on Lightning. The second picture put the 2 together. Also James shirt is in a few Ross Halfin photos from that time.
Slaved into Marshalls? Where did Monty Jay get this info from?
I first saw the Jackson picture on the guitar site Jacksonpalace for Jackson lovers mostly based in Finland where Jacksons are held in high love for Metal instruments. Dave Mustaines old King V and the WASP Rhoads owner Jani is there among alot of others me included.
http://www.jacksonguitarpalace.com/
I was wondering what studio session it might came from. He got the King V in 1985 nearly a year before Dave Mustaine so that could be the Garage days EP or maybe earlier. I can't recall where I found the other but with Cliff it narrowed it down and it does look like the Sweet Silence studio to me. Mesa amps were Puppets, Marshalls on Lightning. The second picture put the 2 together. Also James shirt is in a few Ross Halfin photos from that time.
Slaved into Marshalls? Where did Monty Jay get this info from?
- Elpelotero
- Road King
- Posts: 4051
- Joined: Wed May 18, 2005 2:57 pm
- Location: MIA, NYC, CA
- Contact:
Re: Metallica's rigs
Read this thread: http://www.gearslutz.com/board/so-much- ... llica.html lot of info. I think the studio has since closed and the website was taken down, but I have copies of the files. There used to be pics with the Marshall heads in the studio.Friedmett wrote:Slaved into Marshalls? Where did Monty Jay get this info from?
'92 Dual Recto Rev. D, Volume mod
'84 Mark IIC+ Coliseum
'85 Mark IIC++ DRG, V1 mod
Mesa Standard 4x12
1980's EV Thiele
Sold:
'92 Dual Recto Rev. C
'92 Dual Recto Rev. E
'05 Dual Recto 3ch
'84 Mark IIC+ DR
http://www.TheBoogieArchives.com
'84 Mark IIC+ Coliseum
'85 Mark IIC++ DRG, V1 mod
Mesa Standard 4x12
1980's EV Thiele
Sold:
'92 Dual Recto Rev. C
'92 Dual Recto Rev. E
'05 Dual Recto 3ch
'84 Mark IIC+ DR
http://www.TheBoogieArchives.com
Re: Metallica's rigs
I can remember the Justice picture of the drums and Quad rack but not any pictures for Puppets.
Thank you for the link. Please post the pictures if you can.
Any idea why the gearsluz site is down?
Thank you for the link. Please post the pictures if you can.
Any idea why the gearsluz site is down?