Tone library / Metallica / Master of Puppets

Master of Puppets amp settings — Flatsons Kmf-1

The Metallica guitar tone for “Master of Puppets”, dialed in for a Flatsons Kmf-1 with a Firefly Fflx. Studio version, Master of Puppets (1986) — signature main riff

Original rig

Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ head (slaved into Marshall JCM800 power amp, V-curve 5-band EQ) + 1984 Gibson Explorer (ceramic humbuckers)

Aggressive, tight, scooped thrash rhythm with razor-sharp attack and controlled low-end chug

Amp settings — Flatsons Kmf-1

CHANNELUS Lead / Modern High-Gain amp model + 4x12 V30 Cab IRBRIGHToffBOOSToff

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

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Satone S811 riffer

BOOST — acts as a clean boost/tightener in front of the Flatsons Kmf-1 to slice off loose flub and sharpen downstroke attack

Drive 2 · Tone 7 · Level 8

02Pogolab Chorus

Bypassed for main riff — engage for the clean middle interlude

Rate 0 · Depth 0

03Strich Paradise digital reverb

Bypassed — the studio rhythm track is completely bone-dry

Mix 0 · Tone 5 · Decay 0

Why these settings

The Firefly FFLX ceramic bridge humbucker matches Hetfield's 1984 Explorer output, but the Flatsons modeler needs a mid-scoop (mid at 3, bass and treble at 7) to mimic the legendary Mesa graphic EQ 'V-curve'. The Satone S811 is engaged strictly as a tight boost with drive near minimum and level pushed, tightening the low-end palm-mutes before hitting the high-gain amp model. Clean interlude: switch Flatsons to a clean amp model and engage the Pogolab Chorus.

PRO TIPEvery rhythm riff on this track is executed exclusively with fast, aggressive downpicking near the bridge saddle—do not use alternate picking on the chugs or you lose the percussive, mechanical bite.

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These settings are for a Flatsons Kmf-1. 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.