Master of Puppets amp settings — Harley Benton 40MFX
The Metallica guitar tone for “Master of Puppets”, dialed in for a Harley Benton 40MFX with a Harley Benton Fusion-III HH. Studio version, Master of Puppets album (1986), Sweet Silence Studios Copenhagen
Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (preamp slaved into Marshall JCM800 power section), Jackson King V / Gibson Explorer with EMG 81 (bridge), no pedals for distortion — all gain from amp, V-shaped graphic EQ with deep 750Hz scoop
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 8 |
| Bass | 6 |
| Mid | 3 |
| Treble | 7 |
| Presence | 6 |
| Reverb | 0 |
| Master | 5 |
The Harley Benton 40MFX is a solid-state modeling amp with limited gain saturation compared to the original tube Mark IIC+. Pushed gain to 8 to maximize available saturation. Mid scooped to 3 to replicate the iconic V-curve EQ — the 40MFX mid control centered around 800Hz approximates the 750Hz cut. Treble raised to 7 for the aggressive pick attack clarity. Reverb at 0 — the original was bone dry. This amp will not fully reach Mark IIC+ saturation levels; the tone will be tighter and less harmonically rich, but the EQ shape and attack character translate.
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These settings are for a Harley Benton 40MFX. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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