Tone library / Metallica / Master of puppets

Master of puppets amp settings — Frontman 20G

The Metallica guitar tone for “Master of puppets”, dialed in for a Frontman 20G with a Stratocaster Squier. Studio version, Master of Puppets (1986) — main rhythm riff

Original rig

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

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

Amp settings — Frontman 20G

CHANNELDrive Select ON

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	8
Bass	7
Mid	3
Treble	7
Reverb	0
Master	4

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01ProCo Rat 2 / Distortion Pedal

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned; will deliver tighter high-gain saturation into the clean channel

Distortion 7 · Filter 6 · Volume 7

Why these settings

The Frontman 20G drive channel must be pushed hard at gain 8 to approximate the Mark IIC+ high-gain saturation without pedals. We scoop the mid knob to 3 and boost bass and treble to 7 to emulate the classic Mesa 5-band graphic EQ 'V-shape' on single-coil pickups. Clean interlude: disengage the Drive Select button and roll guitar volume to 7.

PRO TIPStrict downpicking only on the eighth-note palm mutes with a heavy pick (1.0mm+) right against the bridge saddles to recreate James Hetfield's signature percussive attack.

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These settings are for a 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.