Tone library / Metallica / Master Of Puppet

Master Of Puppet amp settings — Fender Hot Rod Deluxe IV

The Metallica guitar tone for “Master Of Puppet”, dialed in for a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe IV with a Ibanez GIO GRG170DX. Studio version, Master of Puppets (1986)

Original rig

Jackson King V with EMG 81/60 → Mesa Boogie Mark IIC+ (Lead channel, gain 9-10, mid 3-4, bass 8, treble 8, presence 7) slaved into modified Marshall JCM800 100W → Marshall 4×12. Aphex EQF-1 parametric EQ in effects loop.

Scooped high-gain thrash rhythm — massive low-end authority, hollow midrange, cutting treble bite

Amp settings — Fender Hot Rod Deluxe IV

CHANNELDriveBRIGHToffBOOSToff

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	9
Bass	8
Mid	2
Treble	7
Presence	6
Reverb	0
Master	5

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Why these settings

The Hot Rod Deluxe is Fender-voiced (scooped mids, bright treble shelf) vs the Mesa's mid-forward lead channel, so mid is set to 2 (vs original's 3-4) to maintain the scoop without losing all definition. Bass is kept at 8 to match the original's low-end authority; treble is pulled to 7 (vs 8) because the HRD's treble control is brighter than the IIC+. Presence at 6 (vs 7) prevents ice-pick fizz on the Fender's power section. The Drive channel is pushed to its limit (gain 9) to approximate the cascaded preamp stages, but this amp cannot replicate the IIC+ + JCM800 slave rig's saturated compression — the tone will be thinner and less authoritative. A high-gain preamp pedal (e.g. Friedman BE-OD, Revv G3) into the Clean channel would get closer.

PRO TIPDowntune to E♭ Standard (E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭) and use aggressive palm-muted downstrokes with the pick edge angled slightly toward the bridge — the percussive attack is half the tone. The original was quad-tracked; your single guitar will sound comparatively thin, so tighten your muting and emphasize the low E string's chunk on every downbeat.

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These settings are for a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe IV. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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