Tone library / Metallica / Master of Puppets

Master of Puppets amp settings — Cort CM10G

The Metallica guitar tone for “Master of Puppets”, dialed in for a Cort CM10G with a Stagg 320 bk les paul. Studio version, Master of Puppets (1986) - Main Rhythm Track

Original rig

Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ preamp slaved into Marshall JCM800 2203 power section, Jackson King V with Seymour Duncan Invader humbuckers, Marshall 4x12 cab with Celestion G12-65/V30s

Aggressive, tight high-gain thrash crunch with a deep V-scooped midrange and biting attack

Amp settings — Cort CM10G

CHANNELOverdrive Channel (Channel switch pressed)

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	8
Bass	8
Mid	2
Treble	7
Reverb	0
Master	6

Don’t have a Cort CM10G? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01ProCo Rat 2 or Boss DS-1 Distortion

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned; tightens low-end and adds necessary saturation to clean channel

Distortion 7 · Tone 5 · Level 7

Why these settings

The Cort CM10G practice amp features a 3-band EQ and Overdrive switch, but no presence or reverb controls. To emulate the iconic Mesa Mark IIC+ graphic-EQ V-curve, scoop the Mid control hard to 2 while pushing Bass to 8 and Treble to 7 for sharp bite. The amp's small speaker will sound fizzier than the studio track, so adding a dedicated distortion pedal down the line will significantly tighten the low-end crunch.

PRO TIPAnchor your palm firmly against the bridge saddles and execute strict, aggressive downstrokes only for all rhythm figures to capture James Hetfield's signature percussive per-note attack.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Cort CM10G. 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.