James Hetfield

James Hetfield - with Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier Trem-O-Verb Combo Amp

Used live during the black album tours

At about 7:36 into the video you can see James recording a track with a Rickenbacker 360 In Fireglo finish.

In a user-uploaded photo, James Hetfield is seen holding a 1979-1980 Spector NS-1 Bass in a studio setting. Despite the low quality of the image, both Hetfield and the bass are identifiable.

According to Guitar Lobby, James used Krank Revolution 1.

On this photo, you can see Mesa Boogie Stereo Simul-Class 290 Power Amp in James's rack.

On this photo, you can see Furman PL-PLUS Power Conditioner in James's rack.

On this photo, you can see Boss SE-50 in James's rack.

On this photo, you can see Rocktron Patch Mate in James's rack.

In this photo from a magazine showing James And kirk's equipment. We can see James holding a steinberger Xm headless bass

James Hetfield used the Jim Dunlop Solid Strap D3809 Black while performing as a guest with Alice in Chains at Rock am Ring in 2006, during the song "Would." This can be verified in the YouTube video "Alice in Chains with James Hetfield - Would Live 2006 HD" by Diego Flanklim.

At the beginning of the song "Wherever I May Roam," you can clearly hear a Danelectro Coral Electric Sitar, possibly played by James Hetfield. This is evident in the remastered version of the song provided on YouTube by Blackened Recordings.

In the video titled "Metallica: A Look at James & Kirk's Guitar Rigs" on YouTube, Metallica's tech mentions that James Hetfield uses the Shure UA845 UHF Antenna Distribution System.

James Hetfield is confirmed to use the L.R. Baggs M80 Magnetic Soundhole Pickup on his Martin guitar, as evidenced by multiple videos and images. The distinctive dark brown center "stripe" of the pickup is clearly visible during his solo acoustic performances, including notable appearances in YouTube videos of his performance of "Baby Hold On" at the Eddie Money tribute/benefit show in February 2020, and during his set at the Acoustic 4 a Cure show in May, 2014.

Used by both Kirk & James live & in the studio to sculpt the tone of their Mesa Boogie(s) in the FX Loop

Used from circa 1985 - 1996.

Photo 1: Flemming Rasmussen's 500 series lunchbox used during the "Master of Puppets" recording session.

Photo 2: James' Live Rack 1993

Unit mentioned by Kirk: @https://youtu.be/jFh5gq8KM44?si=94PYZRhrmmQy543h&t=3783

James Hetfield used the Dunlop Heil HT1 Talk Box for a solo on the album Load, as noted in the analysis by Silverwulf

According to Mesa Boogie's official site (at this URL which appears to be a legacy site), James use Mesa Boogie Rectifier 4x12 Traditional Straight cabs.

James Hetfield used the Danelectro 58 Longhorn Baritone BB during the performance of "Fuel" at the Metallica: Helping Hands Concert & Auction, as seen in the official video filmed on December 13, 2024, and published by Metallica on YouTube.

James Hetfield is seen using the Mesa/Boogie Engineering 4x12 OS Recto Straight Cab during Metallica's live performance of "Turn the Page" on The Howard Stern Show, as documented in the episode uploaded by The Howard Stern Show on YouTube.

In the video titled "Göteborg sings Ecstasy of Gold with James Hetfield 18.06.2023" by Anahita’s Musings, at around 0:17, the RJM Music Mastermind GT-16 can be seen connected to James Hetfield's rig, confirming its use during live performances.

In this photo, James Hetfield can be seen using a 1991 ESP MX 250 Electric Guitar.

James Hetfield used Celestion Vintage 30 12'' 60-watt speakers for his cabinets during Metallica's 2010 tour, as confirmed by a tour gear list from Metallica's official website dated March 2, 2011 through the Internet Archive.

In a photograph from around 1985, James Hetfield is pictured with a Yamaha FG-110, providing visual evidence of his use of this specific guitar.

James Hetfield used the Fender Shenandoah 12-string guitar to record parts of "The Unforgiven," as he stated in the September 1991 issue of Guitar Player magazine: "The acoustic on ‘The Unforgiven’ is an old classical guitar someone gave me years ago. That song also has some Tele for the background twangy parts, and at the tail there’s some Fender Shenandoah 12 string."

In a photo found on Pinterest, James Hetfield is seen playing a white Fender Jazz Bass Special with a blue cover plate, white pickups and black bridge pickup

In this instagram post from fabianexp84 a scanned image from an unspecified 1984 James Hetfield interview states "On my axes i use Dean Markeley Magnum custom light stirngs"

(although equipboard does not include the original sd the mag, i am using the stag mag for this) James Hetfield had a very rare Seymour Duncan pickup named "The Mag" they were producent between 1980-1981. James had this pickup in his electra flying v, the white King v and his iconic "so what" Explorer. All the info is from fabianexp84

Red Monkey has been building James Hetfield's straps for over ten years.

James Hetfield used the Red Monkey Custom Shop Seek and Destroy Grammy Edition White Stitch guitar strap during his performance with Lady Gaga at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards on February 12, 2017. This performance of “Moth Into Flame” with Metallica is documented in official broadcast footage and widely circulated live content, which clearly shows Hetfield wearing the strap. The event was particularly memorable due to technical difficulties when Hetfield's microphone failed, requiring him to share Gaga's mic seamlessly. This strap was designed for stability and balance, making it suitable for high-pressure performances on major stages.

Was used on the "Unforgiven Il"

Model: 1976 Sho-Bud Pedal-Steel Body: maple Neck: poplar Fingerboard surface: rosewood Inlays: Sho-Bud "casino style" inlays Strings: ten guitar strings, three pedals, four knee levers Serial number: 10050