Tone library / Metallica / Master of Puppets

Master of Puppets amp settings — Fender Frontman 20g

The Metallica guitar tone for “Master of Puppets”, dialed in for a Fender Frontman 20g with a Yamaha Pacifica 112V. Studio version, Master of Puppets (1986) - Main rhythm track

Original rig

Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (V-curve 5-band graphic EQ) into Marshall JCM800 2203 power amp, Jackson King V / Gibson Explorer with high-output humbuckers

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

Amp settings — Fender Frontman 20g

CHANNELDrive Select ON

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	8
Bass	7
Mid	2
Treble	7
Master	5

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01ProCo Rat 2 Distortion

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned

Distortion 7 · Filter 6 · Volume 7

Why these settings

The Frontman 20G drive channel provides the gain floor for thrash rhythm, with mids scooped to replicate the iconic Mesa Mark IIC+ graphic EQ V-curve. The 8-inch speaker will sound thinner and fizzier than the studio Marshall 4x12 stack, so keep bass around 7 to avoid low-end farting. Adding a dedicated distortion pedal like a Rat into the clean channel at gain 2 is the best upgrade path for tighter, heavier palm mutes.

PRO TIPAnchor your palm strictly over the bridge saddles and execute heavy, 100% strict downpicking on the main riff to get the signature percussive chug.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Fender Frontman 20g. 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.