Tone library / Metallica / Master of Puppets

Master of Puppets amp settings — Blackstar HT5R MkII

The Metallica guitar tone for “Master of Puppets”, dialed in for a Blackstar HT5R MkII with a Gretsch Les paul tribute. Studio version, Master of Puppets (1986)

Original rig

Mesa Boogie Mark IIC+ (preamp) slaved into modded Marshall JCM800 100W, Jackson King V with EMG 81 bridge pickup, no pedals — graphic EQ V-curve built into the Mark IIC+

Tight, aggressive rhythm crunch with scooped mids, pronounced low-end thump, and cutting high-frequency bite

Amp settings — Blackstar HT5R MkII

CHANNELOverdrive (OD) channelBOOSToff

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	7
Bass	5
Mid	3
Treble	7
Presence	6
Reverb	0
Master	5

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Boss GE-7 Graphic EQ

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. The V-shaped EQ curve is essential to the MOP tone. Run in FX loop if possible, or before amp input. Scoops 400-800Hz, boosts lows and highs.

100Hz 7 · 200Hz 6 · 400Hz 3 · 800Hz 2 · 1.6kHz 3 · 3.2kHz 7 · 6.4kHz 7 · Level 5

Why these settings

Your Blackstar HT5R with ISF cranked clockwise approximates the JCM800 Marshall grind that powered the original. Mids dropped to 3 to replicate the scooped V-curve — the Blackstar's mid control is more prominent than the Mesa's, so we cut harder. Your Gretsch Les Paul tribute likely has passive humbuckers with lower output than EMG 81s, so gain stays at 7 to compensate. Without a graphic EQ pedal, you will not fully nail the surgical mid-scoop — consider a Boss GE-7 or clone.

PRO TIPThe tone is 50% technique: strict downpicking at 200bpm with extremely tight palm muting positioned close to the bridge. Loose palm mutes or alternate picking will sound nothing like the record regardless of settings.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Blackstar HT5R MkII. 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.