Tone library / Metallica / Master of Puppets

Master of Puppets amp settings — EVH 5150 ICONIC 40W COMBO

The Metallica guitar tone for “Master of Puppets”, dialed in for a EVH 5150 ICONIC 40W COMBO with a Epiphone Les Paul Classic. Studio version, Master of Puppets album (1986)

Original rig

Jackson King V with EMG 81 bridge → Mesa Boogie Mark IIC+ (preamp) → Marshall JCM800 100W (power amp) → Marshall 4×12 cabs. Boss/Aphex parametric EQ in Mesa effects loop.

Scooped thrash metal rhythm with massive lows, cut highs, hollow mids — the 'Hetfield scoop'

Amp settings — EVH 5150 ICONIC 40W COMBO

CHANNELBlue (high-gain)BRIGHToffBOOSToff

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	8
Bass	7
Mid	3
Treble	7
Presence	7
Reverb	0
Master	6

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Boss GE-7 Equalizer

Run in FX loop. V-shaped EQ curve: boost lows and highs, scoop mids hard — replicates the parametric EQ Hetfield used in the original sessions.

100Hz 8 · 200Hz 6 · 400Hz 4 · 800Hz 2 · 1.6kHz 3 · 3.2kHz 5 · 6.4kHz 8 · Level 5

Why these settings

Your EVH 5150 Blue channel is already mid-scooped by design (6L6 power section, cascaded gain stages) — closer to the Mark IIC+ voicing than a Marshall. I set mid to 3 (vs original 3-4) and bass to 7 (vs 8) because the 5150 has more low-end chunk than the Mark IIC+. The Boss GE-7 in the loop is mandatory — it replicates the parametric EQ that defined the album tone. Without it, you get generic high-gain, not the Hetfield scoop.

PRO TIPTune to E♭ Standard and use aggressive downstroke palm mutes with the pick edge striking the strings at a 45° angle — Hetfield's attack creates the percussive 'chug' that defines this riff, not just the gear.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a EVH 5150 ICONIC 40W COMBO. 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.