Tone library / james hetfield / master of puppets

master of puppets amp settings — GA 20 20watt amp

The james hetfield guitar tone for “master of puppets”, dialed in for a GA 20 20watt amp with a KAWES HSH. Studio version, Master of Puppets album (1986)

Original rig

Jackson King V 'Kill Bon Jovi' with Seymour Duncan Invaders → Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (preamp) → Marshall JCM800 (power amp) → Marshall 4x12 cab

Tight, aggressive, scooped-mid thrash rhythm with razor-sharp pick attack and crushing low end
Amp settings — GA 20 20watt amp
GAIN 7 BASS 6 MID 3 TREBLE 7 PRESENCE 5 REVERB 0 MASTER 5
KnobSetting (0–10)
Gain7
Bass6
Mid3
Treble7
Presence5
Reverb0
Master5
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Guitar
PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10
Signal chain

01M Vavetank G (Graphic EQ)

Run in effects loop if available; this V-shape EQ is essential to the Master of Puppets tone — deep scoop at 400-800Hz, boost lows and upper presence

100Hz 7 · 200Hz 5 · 400Hz 3 · 800Hz 2 · 1.6kHz 3 · 3.2kHz 6 · 6.4kHz 7 · Level 5
Why these settings

The GA-20 is a low-wattage practice amp without the tight low-end response or high-gain saturation of the Mark IIC+. Compensate by pushing gain to 7 and using your Vavetank G to carve the signature V-curve — this pedal is critical since your amp lacks onboard graphic EQ. The HSH bridge humbucker approximates the Invader output; keep mid at 3 for the scoop but not lower, as small speakers lose definition with extreme scooping.

PRO TIPHetfield's tone is 50% technique — strict palm-muted downstrokes with the pick attacking at a slight angle for that percussive 'chunk.' Practice the gallop pattern with your picking hand anchored near the bridge; the tone falls apart with loose alternate picking.

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These settings are for a GA 20 20watt amp. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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