Tone library / Metallica / Master of Puppets

Master of Puppets amp settings — Fender LT25

The Metallica guitar tone for “Master of Puppets”, dialed in for a Fender LT25 with a Bc rick warlock Warlock. Studio version, Master of Puppets album (1986)

Original rig

Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ preamp into Marshall JCM800 power amp, Jackson King V with EMG 81 bridge pickup, BB/Aphex EQF-1 parametric EQ in loop for mid-scoop

Aggressive scooped thrash rhythm with tight low end, cut highs, and brutally palm-muted downstrokes

Amp settings — Fender LT25

CHANNELMetal (highest gain voicing on LT25)

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	8
Bass	7
Mid	2
Treble	6
Presence	0
Reverb	0
Master	5

Don’t have a Fender LT25? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE7 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Boss GE-7 or similar 7-band EQ

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. This V-shaped EQ is the defining element of the Master of Puppets tone. Run it in front of the amp input since the LT25 has no FX loop. Without this pedal, the amp's mid knob at 2 approximates the scoop but lacks the precision of the original's parametric EQ.

100Hz 7 · 200Hz 3 · 400Hz 1 · 800Hz 0 · 1.6kHz 2 · 3.2kHz 6 · 6.4kHz 7 · Level 5

Why these settings

The Fender LT25 is a solid-state practice amp with digital voicings — it lacks the tube compression and power-amp sag of the Mark IIC+/JCM800 stack. Compensate by maxing the Metal channel's gain and scooping mids harder than the original (2 vs the original's 3-4) because Fender voicings are naturally mid-shy and need extra cut removed. Your BC Rich Warlock with humbuckers is tonally appropriate — similar output and voicing to Hetfield's EMG-loaded Jackson.

PRO TIPThe entire Master of Puppets tone lives in your picking hand. Use exclusively downstrokes on the main riff at 212 BPM with your pick angled slightly toward the neck, palm muting directly over the bridge saddles. The amp gets you in the ballpark; the relentless downstroke attack is what makes it Hetfield.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Fender LT25. 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.