Tone library / Matalica / Master of pupets

Master of pupets amp settings — Blackstar Stereo 20

The Matalica guitar tone for “Master of pupets”, dialed in for a Blackstar Stereo 20 with a Gibson Flying V. Studio version, Master of Puppets (1986), Sweet Silence Studios Denmark

Original rig

Mesa Boogie Mark IIC+ head, Marshall JCM 800 (layered), ESP Explorer with EMG 81 (bridge), no pedals — amp gain only

Tight, aggressive rhythm tone with scooped mids, razor-sharp palm mutes, and controlled low-end thump

Amp settings — Blackstar Stereo 20

CHANNELOD2 (Overdrive 2) with ISF set fully clockwise (British/Marshall voicing)

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	7
Bass	6
Mid	4
Treble	7
Presence	6
Reverb	0
Master	5

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Why these settings

The Blackstar's ISF at full clockwise emulates the British Marshall character that layered with Hetfield's Mesa on the album. OD2 channel provides the tight high-gain response. Mids at 4 (not fully scooped) because the Blackstar's mid-range is already less prominent than a Mesa Mark IIC+ — going lower loses note definition. Your Gibson Flying V with humbuckers matches the original's hot output, so gain at 7 is sufficient without mud.

PRO TIPHetfield's palm-mute attack on this album comes from picking directly over the bridge pickup with the heel of his palm barely touching the strings — too much muting kills the chunk, too little loses tightness. Practice the 'gallop' sections (down-down-up) with a stiff wrist and let the amp's compression do the work.

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

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