Tone library / Metallica / Master of puppets

Master of puppets amp settings — Dixon MA-15

The Metallica guitar tone for “Master of puppets”, dialed in for a Dixon MA-15 with a Sanchez Stratocaster. Studio version, Master of Puppets album (1986), Sweet Silence Studios Copenhagen

Original rig

Mesa Boogie Mark IIC+ head, Marshall JCM 800 4x12 cab (G12T-75s), ESP Explorer with EMG pickups

Tight, aggressive scooped-mid thrash rhythm with razor-sharp pick attack and crushing palm mutes

Amp settings — Dixon MA-15

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

Don’t have a Dixon MA-15? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE7 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Distortion Pedal (RECOMMENDED — not owned)

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. A Boss DS-1, MT-2 Metal Zone, or any high-gain distortion pedal is essential to reach thrash saturation. Without one, the Dixon cannot produce this tone. Budget option: Behringer UM300 Ultra Metal (~$25).

Gain/Dist 8 · Tone 6 · Level 7

Why these settings

The Dixon MA-15 is a low-wattage solid-state practice amp with limited gain and no high-gain voicing — it cannot approach Mark IIC+ saturation on its own. Gain is maxed and mids scooped hard to approximate the 'thrash scoop' EQ shape. Treble pushed to 8 compensates for your Strat's single-coil bridge lacking the EMG humbucker's tight attack. A distortion pedal is mandatory to get anywhere close; without it, you will get fizzy breakup, not thrash chunk.

PRO TIPHetfield's tone lives in his right hand — strict downpicking with the pick angled slightly and palm muting positioned closer to the bridge saddles for maximum tightness. Practice the downpick endurance; alternate picking will sound completely different even with identical gear.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Dixon MA-15. 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.