Tone library / Metallica / Master of Puppets

Master of Puppets amp settings — Blackstar ID:Core 20 V3

The Metallica guitar tone for “Master of Puppets”, dialed in for a Blackstar ID:Core 20 V3 with a Ibanez GIO GRG170DX. Studio version, Master of Puppets (1986) - Main iconic rhythm track

Original rig

Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (V-curve EQ) slaved into Marshall JCM800 power amp, Gibson Explorer / Jackson King V with high-output humbuckers

Aggressive, tight, high-gain thrash rhythm with deeply scooped mids and punchy low-end

Amp settings — Blackstar ID:Core 20 V3

CHANNELOD2 voice, ISF set to 2 (fully American/Mesa side)BOOSToff

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	8
Reverb	0
Master	7

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Why these settings

The Blackstar ID:Core 20 V3 uses the patented ISF control rather than standard individual bass/middle/treble knobs, so set ISF to 2 for a scooped American Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ curve. OD2 provides the required cascaded saturation without muddying the fast riff attack. Keep the built-in effects and reverb off to ensure dry, razor-sharp palm muting.

PRO TIPAnchor your picking hand strictly for strict, aggressive downpicking on all muted eighth-note passages, striking right against the bridge saddles to keep the chugs tight and percussive.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Blackstar ID:Core 20 V3. 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.