Tone library / Metallica / Master of Puppets

Master of Puppets amp settings — Fender Rumble 15

The Metallica guitar tone for “Master of Puppets”, dialed in for a Fender Rumble 15 with a Squier Classic Vibe 60s Stratocaster. Studio version, Master of Puppets (1986) — main rhythm riff

Original rig

James Hetfield: Jackson King V (Seymour Duncan Invader) into Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ slaved into Marshall power section/cabs, graphic EQ in aggressive V-scoop

Aggressive, tight thrash metal rhythm with deep low-end thump, scooped 750Hz mids, and razor-sharp picking attack

Amp settings — Fender Rumble 15

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

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01ProCo Rat 2

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned; essential high-gain distortion source

Distortion 8 · Filter 5 · Volume 7

Why these settings

The Fender Rumble 15 is a clean solid-state practice bass amp without an overdrive channel, gain control, presence, or reverb. Dial bass to 7 and treble to 8 while cutting mid to 2 to replicate Hetfield's classic Mark IIC+ graphic EQ V-curve, but note that the amp cannot produce high-gain distortion on its own. Adding a dedicated high-gain distortion pedal like a Rat or DS-1 into the front input is required to reach the recording's crushing crunch. Clean interlude: roll guitar volume back to 6.

PRO TIPHetfield's rhythm precision relies strictly on aggressive all-downpicking with heavy palm-muting right against the bridge saddles using a rigid, heavy pick.

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These settings are for a Fender Rumble 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.