Tone library / Metallica / Master of Puppets

Master of Puppets amp settings — Fender Mustang LT25

The Metallica guitar tone for “Master of Puppets”, dialed in for a Fender Mustang LT25 with a ESP LTD EC-256. Studio version, Master of Puppets (1986) — main rhythm riff

Original rig

Jackson Custom Shop King V (Seymour Duncan Invader pickups) into Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ head (slaved into Marshall JCM800 power section) with classic 5-band graphic EQ V-curve

Aggressive, tight, scooped thrash rhythm with crushing low-end chunk and sharp attack

Amp settings — Fender Mustang LT25

CHANNELMetal 2000 amp model (Cab: 4x12V)

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

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Onboard Noise Gate (Mustang LT25 utility block)

Engage the onboard noise gate block in the signal chain to keep the tight palm-muted chugs silent between stabs.

Threshold 7 · Depth 8

Why these settings

The Mustang LT25's 'Metal 2000' model replicates modern cascaded high-gain, delivering the necessary saturation without external drive pedals. Scooping the mids to 2 emulates the Mark IIC+'s signature post-distortion 5-band graphic EQ V-curve, while keeping bass at 7 and treble at 8 delivers the tight percussive punch and crisp bite. For the clean interlude, switch to the 'Twin Clean' preset with middle pickup selected.

PRO TIPStrictly downpick all eighth-note rhythm chugs with the side of your picking palm resting heavily across the bridge saddles to get Hetfield's signature percussive snap and prevent muddy low-end rumble.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Fender Mustang 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.