Tone library / Metalica / Master of pupets

Master of pupets amp settings — Yamaha THR30II

The Metalica guitar tone for “Master of pupets”, dialed in for a Yamaha THR30II with a Yamaha Pacifica 112V. Studio version, Master of Puppets album (1986)

Original rig

Mesa Boogie Mark IIC+ preamp → Marshall JCM800 power section, ESP Explorer with EMG 81/60 pickups

Tight, scooped thrash rhythm with aggressive pick attack and compressed sustain

Amp settings — Yamaha THR30II

CHANNELHI GAIN (Modern mode via THR Remote app)

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	8
Bass	6
Mid	2
Treble	8
Presence	7
Reverb	0
Master	6

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE8 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Noise Gate (via THR Remote app)

Essential for tight palm mutes — enable in THR Remote's gate section

Threshold 4 · Decay 2

Why these settings

The THR30II's HI GAIN mode approximates high-gain Mesa voicing but lacks the IIC+'s surgical mid-scoop, so mids are dropped to 2 instead of the original's near-zero. Your Pacifica's Alnico V humbucker in the bridge has less output and compression than Hetfield's active EMGs, so gain is pushed to 8 to compensate. Treble stays high to retain that razor-sharp pick attack.

PRO TIPPalm-mute directly over the bridge saddles, not further up the strings — this is critical for the tight, percussive 'chunk' that defines the MOP rhythm tone. Downpick everything; alternate picking will sound wrong on the main riff.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Yamaha THR30II. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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More tones for the Yamaha THR30II

My AllMariah Carey Stairway to HeavenLed Zeppelin Smells like teen spiritNirvana ParanoidBlack Sabbath Master of puppetsMetallica Still got the bluesGary moore

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Song, artist and gear names are used to identify the tone being matched; ToneAdapt is not affiliated with or endorsed by the artists or manufacturers mentioned. Settings are AI-generated starting points — trust your ears.