Tone library / Metallica / Master of Puppets

Master of Puppets amp settings — Blackstar ID:Core 10 V4

The Metallica guitar tone for “Master of Puppets”, dialed in for a Blackstar ID:Core 10 V4 with a Jet JS-300. Studio version, Master of Puppets (1986) — main rhythm riff

Original rig

Jackson Custom Shop King V (Duncan Invaders) -> Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (slaved into Marshall JCM800 power section) with 5-band graphic EQ V-curve

Aggressive, tight, scooped thrash rhythm with crushing low-end chunk and sharp attack

Amp settings — Blackstar ID:Core 10 V4

CHANNELOD2 (ISF set fully clockwise / British)

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	8
Reverb	0
Master	6

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Why these settings

The ID:Core 10 V4 uses a single ISF EQ knob instead of standard Bass/Mid/Treble/Presence controls. Selecting the high-gain OD2 voice and rotating the ISF control fully clockwise nails the tight, aggressive British midrange bite of the original Mesa-into-Marshall slaved rig. To compensate for the lower-output single coils on your Jet Strat vs Hetfield's hot humbuckers, run the gain around 8 to get sufficient thrash crunch and sustain; for the clean interlude, switch to the Clean Warm voice with the onboard chorus on.

PRO TIPAnchor your palm firmly against the bridge saddles and execute strict downpicking on every single note of the verse riff to capture Hetfield's signature percussive thud.

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These settings are for a Blackstar ID:Core 10 V4. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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