Nothing Else Matters

The recording

Nothing Else Matters was written by James Hetfield in 1990 while on tour, originally intended as a personal expression of missing home rather than a Metallica track. The studio recording represents a departure from the band's traditional heavy approach, featuring a delicate fingerpicked arpeggio that Hetfield performs himself. Notably, this is one of the few instances where Hetfield played the guitar solo instead of Kirk Hammett, who does not appear on the studio recording. The arrangement achieves its expansive, clean character through a blend of direct-to-board recording and clean amplifier signals, creating an intimate yet powerful sound that defines the song.

Tuning Standard E tuning (EADGBE) on the studio recording, with live performances later shifting to E♭ or lower.

Original gear

Tom Anderson ProAm electric guitar

Guitar · James Hetfield · Riff & solo

This electric guitar was used for the majority of the song's guitar parts, recorded using a blend of an amp signal and a direct-to-board signal.

Gretsch White Falcon

Guitar · James Hetfield · Riff

This guitar was used to create the specific clean, airplane-like dive bomb effect heard in the arrangement.

Alternatives

Practical playing approach

Recreation guidance, not a claim about undocumented studio control positions.

1. 1.Fingerpick the opening open-string arpeggio cleanly without heavy distortion.
2. 2.Allow the open E string to ring out as a drone through the main chord progression.
3. 3.Ensure precise timing and dynamic control during Hetfield's melodic solo.