Tone library / Metalica / Master of puppets

Master of puppets amp settings — Marshall MG30CFX

The Metalica guitar tone for “Master of puppets”, dialed in for a Marshall MG30CFX with a Gibson SG Standard 61. Studio version, Master of Puppets album (1986)

Original rig

Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ preamp → modified Marshall JCM800 power amp, Jackson King V 'Kill Bon Jovi' with EMG 81 (bridge)

Tight, aggressive thrash rhythm with scooped mids, pronounced low-end thump, and cutting high-end presence

Amp settings — Marshall MG30CFX

CHANNELOD1 (Overdrive 1)

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	8
Bass	7
Mid	2
Treble	7
Presence	6
Reverb	0
Master	5

Don’t have a Marshall MG30CFX? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Boss GE-7 Equalizer

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. This V-shaped EQ curve is essential to the Master of Puppets tone. Run in front of amp input. Without this pedal, you'll get close but miss the signature mid-scoop.

100Hz 8 · 200Hz 3 · 400Hz 2 · 800Hz 1 · 1.6kHz 3 · 3.2kHz 7 · 6.4kHz 8 · Level 5

Why these settings

The MG30CFX's OD1 channel is voiced closer to a JCM800 than the original Mesa Mark IIC+, so it lacks the Mesa's tight low-end compression. Compensate by dropping mids to 2 (vs the original's 3-4) to achieve the scoop, and push bass to 7 to approximate the Mesa's low-end authority. Your SG's passive 490R/490T humbuckers are warmer and less compressed than Hetfield's active EMG 81, so the higher gain setting (8) compensates for the lower output and softer attack.

PRO TIPHetfield's right-hand technique is all downstrokes with heavy palm muting anchored close to the bridge saddles — the tone lives in the pick attack, not the amp. Practice the main riff at half speed with strict downstrokes until your forearm burns; alternate picking here sounds fundamentally wrong.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Marshall MG30CFX. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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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.