Tone library / Metallica / Master of pupet

Master of pupet amp settings — Mega Amp SL20R

The Metallica guitar tone for “Master of pupet”, dialed in for a Mega Amp SL20R with a Storm ST250-BL. Studio version, Master of Puppets (1986) — main rhythm riff

Original rig

Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (slaved into Marshall JCM800 power amp / cabs) + Jackson/Gibson Flying V / Explorer with EMG 81 / Seymour Duncan Invader + ProCo Rat (boost/tighten) + Aphex Parametric EQ

Aggressive, tight, scooped high-gain thrash rhythm with sharp pick attack
Amp settings — Mega Amp SL20R
CHANNELDrive channel (Overdrive switch engaged)
GAIN 7 BASS 6 MID 2 TREBLE 7 REVERB 0 MASTER 4
KnobSetting (0–10)
Gain7
Bass6
Mid2
Treble7
Reverb0
Master4
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Guitar
PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10
Signal chain

01Overdrive / Distortion (ProCo Rat or TS9 style)

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned

Drive 2 · Tone 6 · Level 8
Why these settings

The Mega Amp SL20R is a small solid-state practice amp with an 8-inch speaker, so pushing the onboard drive to 7 simulates the heavy Mark IIC+ preamp saturation while keeping mids scooped at 2 to replicate the famous Mesa 5-band 'V-curve'. On your SSS-style Storm ST250, the bridge single-coil lacks the thickness and output of Hetfield's humbuckers, so keep the amp's bass at 6 and avoid over-boosting treble to prevent harshness. For the clean middle interlude: switch the amp drive channel off to clean and set guitar pickup to neck+middle.

PRO TIPAnchor your palm right over the bridge saddles and execute strict, heavy downpicking to nail the percussive, chugging attack of the main riff.

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These settings are for a Mega Amp SL20R. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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