Kirk Hammett Pedalboard Philosophy: How To Sound Like Metallica

Kirk Hammett is one of the Metal’s most popular lead guitarists. Effects are particularly important for metal, as one of its main characteristics is that highly ampilified, chugging distortion.

According to past interviews, Kirk Hammett prefers sending a clean Tube Amp signal and allow his effects to take over for the overdrive.

So, what effects are needed to put together a Kirk Hammett pedalboard?

Unique Kirk Hammett Pedalboard Effects

Kirk Hammett has a unique inclusion on his pedal board; a modified Wah Wah pedal. In fact, it seems he uses the electronics of a Dunlop Crybaby, but encase in an Ernie Ball volume pedal casing. So if you are basing yourself off picures of his pedalboard, keep this in mind. It’s A Kirk Hammett Pedalboard staple.

Gut this…
Ernie Ball Volume Pedal

Ernie Ball 500K Stereo/Pan VolumeThis Ernie Ball 6165 stereo volume/pan pedal is designed for easy flexibility and great sound. Its 2 input and 2 output jacks accommodate stereo TRS cables or mono TS cables and let you quickly select between volume control or pan control.

…and add this:
Dunlop Classic Wah Crybaby

Dunlop Crybaby Classic Wah PedalDunlop Crybaby Classic Wah Pedal. When you think about the classic wah-wah sounds of the 60s, you think about British bluesmen and psychedelic American rockers, not Italy.

Kirk Hammett Pedalboard Essentials

Kirk Hammett also has a few stompboxes and other pedals, such as:

Roland VG-8

In Store Used USED ROLAND VG-8 StandardIn Store Used USED ROLAND VG-8 Standard

Ernie Ball Wah
Yes, it seems Kirk Hammett employs additional Wah pedals other than his custom Dunlop/Ernie Ball.

Ernie Ball 6185 Wah Guitar Effects PedalMany wah pedals only sound good when they’re moving. The Ernie Ball Wah is designed to sound good regardless of where you have it set. Made from an aluminum alloy casting providing major durability, the wah pedal has a 12-degree foot sweep with a smooth coated Kevlar drive, true bypass, and adjustable on/off switch with a bright LED when on. It’s AC or battery powered with easy battery access. A/C power jack and 1/4″ instrument jacks are all on the back, keeping the Ernie Ball Wah’s footprint small.

Ibanez Tubescreamer
A staple in most artists’ pedalboards and one of the most popular guitar pedals, this is the pedal Kirk Hammett uses for his main distortion, in which he pushes a clean tube sound. A Kirk Hammett pedalboard essential.

Ibanez TS9DX Turbo Tube Screamer Effects PedalThe Ibanez TS9DX Turbo Tube Screamer Effects Pedal features the slightly warmer overdrive of the old TS808 Tube Screamers and also offers 3 new settings for increased low end crunch: +, Hot, and Turbo.

Lovetone Meatball
Another Wah-type pedal.

In terms of effects, not much goes into a Kirk Hammett Pedalboard.