Master of puppets amp settings — Blackstar Fly 3
The Metallica guitar tone for “Master of puppets”, dialed in for a Blackstar Fly 3 with a Fender Squire Startocaster. Studio version, Master of Puppets album (1986)
Jackson King V 'Kill Bon Jovi' with EMG 81/60 pickups → Ibanez TS-808 Tube Screamer → Mesa Boogie Mark IIC+ (as preamp) slaved into modified Marshall JCM800 100W → Marshall 4x12 cabs. V-shaped graphic EQ with scooped mids.
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 8 |
| Bass | 7 |
| Treble | 4 |
| Master | 7 |
01Tube Screamer style OD (TS9 / TS-808 / Maxon OD808)
RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. This is essential to the MOP tone: it tightens the low end and adds pick definition. Without it, the tone will be loose and undefined. A Behringer TO800 or Joyo Vintage Overdrive costs under $30 and will get you there.
The Fly 3 is a 3W practice amp with only Gain, EQ (single tone knob acting as treble), and Volume — plus a dedicated Delay and ISF-style voicing. The EQ knob is your only tone shaping: set it to 4 (lower than center) to compensate for your Strat's bright single coils where the original used hot EMG humbuckers. Gain maxed because this amp has limited saturation headroom. The original's scooped mids and tight low end are impossible without a Tube Screamer in front — the Fly 3's OD channel alone will sound fizzy and loose. ISF dial (if present on your version) should be full clockwise toward British voicing for more mid-forward grind.
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These settings are for a Blackstar Fly 3. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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