Tone library / Metallica / Master of Puppets

Master of Puppets amp settings — Global G-25

The Metallica guitar tone for “Master of Puppets”, dialed in for a Global G-25 with a Jackson JS22 Dinky. 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 — Global G-25

CHANNELCleanBOOSToff

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	2
Bass	7
Mid	3
Treble	6
Reverb	0
Master	6

Don’t have a Global G-25? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Boss DS-1 Distortion

Gain source — run directly into the amp input

Tone 4 · Level 7 · Dist 8

Why these settings

Because the Global G-25 is an entry-level practice amp that lacks the cascading high-gain preamp of a Mark IIC+, your Boss DS-1 acts as the primary gain engine into the amp's clean channel to prevent muddy double-gain clipping. The amp's mid control is pulled back to replicate the famous Mesa V-curve graphic EQ scoop while keeping the DS-1 Tone knob slightly below noon to prevent the small speaker from fizzing out. Clean interlude: switch off the DS-1 and pick near the neck.

PRO TIPAnchor your palm firmly against the bridge saddles and execute aggressive, all-downstroke picking to get Hetfield's signature percussive snap on the open-E chugs.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Global G-25. 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.