Master of Puppets amp settings — Gearlux GA-15
The Metallica guitar tone for “Master of Puppets”, dialed in for a Gearlux GA-15 with a Rogue Rocketeer RR50. Studio version, Master of Puppets album (1986)
Mesa Boogie Mark IIC+ preamp into modified Marshall JCM800 100W power amp, Marshall 4x12 cabs with Celestion G12T-75s, Jackson King V with Seymour Duncan Invaders, Ibanez TS-808 Tube Screamer as a boost
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 8 |
| Bass | 4 |
| Mid | 3 |
| Treble | 7 |
| Presence | 5 |
| Reverb | 0 |
| Master | 6 |
01Tube Screamer (TS9 or clone)
RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. Critical for the MOP tone. Run drive near minimum, level high. This tightens the low end and adds pick definition. A Behringer TO800, Joyo Vintage Overdrive, or any TS clone under $30 will work. Without this pedal, the tone will be loose and undefined at high gain.
The Gearlux GA-15 is a basic solid-state practice amp with limited gain and no EQ voicing flexibility. The original tone came from a high-end tube preamp/power amp rig with a deeply scooped graphic EQ (V-curve at 750Hz). Your amp cannot replicate the tight, compressed saturation or the surgical mid-scoop. I've maxed usable gain, cut mids harder than normal, and boosted treble to approximate the attack. The Rogue Rocketeer's passive ceramic humbuckers are lower output and warmer than EMG 81s, so treble is pushed to compensate. Realistically, this amp will deliver maybe 40% of the original tone — the TS-style pedal is mandatory to get closer.
Get this tone on your amp
These settings are for a Gearlux GA-15. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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