James HetfieldPedalboard, 2017
James Hetfield toured WorldWired in 2017 with no pedalboard: two Fractal Axe-Fx II XL+ processors, one set clean and one high-gain, with his technician switching between them so preset changes never cut the sound.
WorldWired dual-processor rig
Order evidence: A source states the sequence
Inside the rig · 2 units
Pedal roles & evidence
How each unit fits James Hetfield's 2017 setup. Board-specific roles and the evidence behind each identification and position.
Source-described orderIdentity and position are evidenced separately. Reconstructed positions are not observed connections.
Multi-effects & Modeling
Fractal Audio Axe-Fx II XL+ - Clean Processor
Clean branch
Role in this rig
Hosts Hetfield's clean amplifier, cabinet and effects presets on a dedicated no-gap signal path.
- Identity
- Documented
- Position
- Documented
Multi-effects & Modeling
Fractal Audio Axe-Fx II XL+ - High-Gain Processor
Drive branch
Role in this rig
Recreates Hetfield's Mesa/Boogie- and Diezel-based rhythm sounds and their associated live effects.
- Identity
- Documented
- Position
- Documented
Documented equipment · Documented order · Split output path
Guitar tech Chad Zaemisch traces the WorldWired path from the wireless receivers through an analog switcher to two active Axe-Fx II XL+ units, with a third unit held only as a spare. The clean and distorted processors are alternatives, not serial stages, and are displayed as two split paths. The input mixer, GCX switcher, RJM MIDI controller, tuner and backup processor are omitted because they mix, route, control or duplicate the audio rather than define an additional effect stage. Zaemisch's independent 2023 interview confirms that Hetfield still relied on two processor paths and explains the transition from the former multi-rack analog system.
Cited sources
MethodologyQuestions about James Hetfield's 2017 pedalboard
- What pedals did James Hetfield use in 2017?
- This dated entry lists 2 units: Fractal Audio Axe-Fx II XL+ - Clean Processor, Fractal Audio Axe-Fx II XL+ - High-Gain Processor. This is the recorded inventory, not a claim that every connection or model identification is confirmed; see the evidence and routing notes.
- What order were James Hetfield's pedals in?
- A cited source states the order. See the diagram and routing notes for the separate paths and any unconfirmed connections.
- Is this James Hetfield's full guitar rig?
- No. This dated entry covers 2 units in the effects path, not every piece of gear James Hetfield owned or used. Floor pedals, rack units and routing devices are included only where recorded; omitted equipment and uncertain connections are explained in the notes. It is not a complete or current rig inventory.
- When and where was this pedalboard used?
- September 21, 2017. WorldWired tour. This is the rig documented for that touring period, not a career-wide gear list.
- How does the archive know what was on this pedalboard?
- 3 cited sources, listed above with the date each was read, including Metallica, Guitarristas, Guitar World. Among them a rig rundown, a written article and an interview. The units are recorded as documented equipment, and the page was last audited on 2026-07-18.