Tone library / metallica / master of puppets

master of puppets amp settings — Harley Benton DNAFX AmP20

The metallica guitar tone for “master of puppets”, dialed in for a Harley Benton DNAFX AmP20 with a Ibanez AZ2204. Studio version, Master of Puppets album (1986)

Original rig

Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ preamp → Marshall JCM800 power amp, Jackson King V with Seymour Duncan Invaders, 5-band graphic EQ with V-curve

Tight, aggressive scooped-mid thrash rhythm with razor-sharp pick attack and crushing low end

Amp settings — Harley Benton DNAFX AmP20

CHANNELMesa Boogie Mark IV model (or closest high-gain Mesa voicing available)BRIGHToffBOOSTon

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	8
Bass	6
Mid	3
Treble	7
Presence	6
Reverb	0
Master	5

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Graphic EQ (use onboard EQ block if available)

V-shape curve is essential — boost lows and highs, deep scoop at 750Hz. Place in FX loop position if the AmP20 allows routing

80Hz 7 · 240Hz 4 · 750Hz 2 · 2.2kHz 4 · 6.4kHz 7

02Noise Gate (use onboard if available)

Tight gate keeps palm mutes precise — essential for thrash

Threshold 4 · Decay 3

Why these settings

Your AZ2204's Seymour Duncan Hyperion humbuckers are hotter and more modern-voiced than the original Invaders, so gain stays at 8 rather than pushing higher. The AmP20 is a digital modeler — select the highest-gain Mesa-style amp model available (Mark IV or Rectifier voicing). The V-shaped EQ is non-negotiable for this tone; without it you get generic metal, not Master of Puppets. Mid at 3 is already scooped on the amp; the graphic EQ deepens the cut at 750Hz.

PRO TIPHetfield's tone lives in his right hand — strict downpicking with the pick angled slightly and hitting the strings hard near the bridge. Practice the main riff with all downstrokes at 212 BPM; if you alternate pick, the attack softens and the tone loses its mechanical aggression.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Harley Benton DNAFX AmP20. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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