# James Hetfield Pedalboard 2017: Full Gear & Pedal List > The 2017 James Hetfield pedalboard, pedal by pedal: Fractal Audio Axe-Fx II XL+ - Clean Processor and 1 more. Signal-chain order, settings and cited sources. - Canonical page: https://pedalboardarchive.com/artists/james-hetfield/worldwired-dual-processor-rig-2017/ - Machine-readable index of the archive: https://pedalboardarchive.com/llms.txt - Evidence and reconstruction conventions: https://pedalboardarchive.com/methodology/ ## At a glance | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Artist | James Hetfield | | Board | WorldWired dual-processor rig | | Date | 2017-09-21 — September 21, 2017 (day precision) | | Context | WorldWired tour | | Scope | Touring-period rig | | Signal path | 2 units · Guitar to amplifier | | Routing | Split output path | | Unit evidence | Documented | | Order evidence | Source-described | | Status | Tech-guided routing - digitally integrated | | Audited | 2026-07-18 | | Sources | 3 | 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. ## Signal chain **Order evidence — Source-described.** A source states the sequence. | # | Unit | Role | Zone | Unit evidence | Position evidence | Catalog page | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1 | Fractal Audio Axe-Fx II XL+ - Clean Processor | Hosts Hetfield's clean amplifier, cabinet and effects presets on a dedicated no-gap signal path. | Clean amplifier path | Documented | Documented | https://pedalboardarchive.com/pedals/fractal-audio-axe-fx-ii-xl-clean-processor/ | | 2 | Fractal Audio Axe-Fx II XL+ - High-Gain Processor | Recreates Hetfield's Mesa/Boogie- and Diezel-based rhythm sounds and their associated live effects. | Distorted amplifier path | Documented | Documented | https://pedalboardarchive.com/pedals/fractal-audio-axe-fx-ii-xl-high-gain-processor/ | ## Reconstruction note 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. ## Questions ### 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. ## Sources 3 cited sources across 2 independent groups. Two sources sharing an independent group report the same observation and count once. 1. [Metallica: A Look at James & Kirk's Guitar Rigs](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6k2ghtbhoU) — Metallica (Primary source · rig-rundown), published 2017-09-21, accessed 2026-07-18, independent group `metallica-worldwired-2017-video` 2. [El equipo de Metallica en 2017, pieza a pieza](https://www.guitarristas.info/reportajes/equipo-metallica-2017-pieza-pieza/7265) — Guitarristas (Specialist source · article), published 2017-09-26, accessed 2026-07-18, independent group `metallica-worldwired-2017-video` 3. [James Hetfield guitar tech Chad Zaemisch shows you his 72 Seasons live rig](https://www.guitarworld.com/features/metallica-chad-zaemisch-72-seasons-live-guitar-rig) — Guitar World (Primary source · interview), published 2023-12-26, accessed 2026-07-18, independent group `guitar-world-zaemisch-2023` ## Related pages - Every documented board by James Hetfield: [James Hetfield board history](https://pedalboardarchive.com/artists/james-hetfield/) - [Kirk Hammett — WorldWired remote-wah rig](https://pedalboardarchive.com/artists/kirk-hammett/worldwired-rack-wah-rig-2017/): shares Fractal Audio Axe-Fx II XL+ - Clean Processor - Previous board in archive order: [James Burton — Analog Alien custom board](https://pedalboardarchive.com/artists/james-burton/analog-alien-custom-board-2016/) - Next board in archive order: [Jared James Nichols — Five-device summer touring board](https://pedalboardarchive.com/artists/jared-james-nichols/summer-tour-board-2026/)