Tone library / Metallica / Master of puppets

Master of puppets amp settings — Boss Katana 50 MkII

The Metallica guitar tone for “Master of puppets”, dialed in for a Boss Katana 50 MkII with a Epiphone Les Paul Classic. Studio version, Master of Puppets (1986) — main rhythm riff

Original rig

James Hetfield: Jackson King V (Seymour Duncan Invader bridge) into Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (slaved as preamp into Marshall power section/cabs), 5-band graphic EQ scooped in classic V-shape

Aggressive, tight thrash metal rhythm with deep low-end thump, scooped 750Hz mids, and razor-sharp picking attack

Amp settings — Boss Katana 50 MkII

CHANNELBROWN amp type

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

Don’t have a Boss Katana 50 MkII? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Onboard Booster (Blues Drive / Clean Boost profile)

Engage Katana onboard BOOSTER button to tighten the low-end attack without adding excessive saturation

Booster 3

Why these settings

The Katana 50 MkII BROWN amp type provides the high-gain aggression needed for Hetfield's signature rhythm tone without an external dirt pedal. Bass is set to 7 to deliver the low-end palm-mute thump, while the middle control is cut to 3 to emulate the classic Mesa Mark IIC+ V-curve scoop. Clean interlude: switch to CLEAN amp type with middle at 6 and gain at 3.

PRO TIPLock your wrist and execute purely aggressive, heavy downpicking right against the bridge saddles to get the razor-sharp percussive attack of the track.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Boss Katana 50 MkII. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

Get ToneAdapt on Google Play

More tones for the Boss Katana 50 MkII

You should probably leaveChris Stapleton I got betterMorgan Wallen Memory sure don't mess aroundJordan Davis GoosePolyphia Stairway to Heaven (Live)Led Zeppelin Dead Girl WalkingCarrie Hope Fletcher & Jamie Muscato

Find your amp

Browse

Boss Katana 50 MkII settingsALL SONGS FOR THIS AMP Master of puppets on other ampsSAME SONG, YOUR AMP Metallica tonesALL SONGS Metallica on the Boss Katana 50 MkIISAME ARTIST, SAME AMP Epiphone Les Paul Classic tonesSAME GUITAR Tone libraryEVERYTHING

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.