Tone library / Metallica / Master of puppets

Master of puppets amp settings — Gigkit 40W

The Metallica guitar tone for “Master of puppets”, dialed in for a Gigkit 40W with a Gigkit Max Gigkit V style. Studio version, Master of Puppets album (1986), rhythm guitar riff section

Original rig

Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ preamp slaved into Marshall JCM800 power section, Jackson King V 'Kill Bon Jovi' guitar with EMG 81 bridge pickup, Aphex EQF-1 parametric EQ in loop, quad-tracked rhythms, no pedals for distortion

Tight aggressive palm-muted thrash with scooped mids, percussive attack, high-gain saturation, dry with no reverb

Amp settings — Gigkit 40W

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

Don’t have a Gigkit 40W? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Boss DS-1 or similar distortion pedal

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. Essential for reaching thrash-level gain; the Gigkit 40W cannot produce this saturation alone. Run amp gain at 3-4 with this pedal engaged to avoid mud

Tone 6 · Level 7 · Dist 8

Why these settings

The Gigkit 40W is an entry-level solid-state amp with limited gain and no mid control. Even at maximum gain it cannot reach Mesa Mark IIC+ saturation levels. A distortion pedal is mandatory to get within range of this tone. With the recommended DS-1: drop amp gain to 3-4 and let the pedal provide the dirt. Bass and treble pushed to create the V-shaped scoop since you lack a mid knob — this approximates Hetfield's deeply cut 750Hz. Keep reverb at zero; the original is bone dry.

PRO TIPThe tone is 50% technique: strict all-downstroke picking at high tempo with extremely tight palm muting where your pick hand barely lifts off the strings between strokes. No alternate picking on the main riff — that's non-negotiable for the attack.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Gigkit 40W. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

Get ToneAdapt on Google Play

Find your amp

Browse

Master of puppets on other ampsSAME SONG, YOUR AMP Metallica tonesALL SONGS Tone libraryEVERYTHING

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.