Tone library / Metallica / Master of puppets

Master of puppets amp settings — Harley Benton HB-20MFX

The Metallica guitar tone for “Master of puppets”, dialed in for a Harley Benton HB-20MFX with a Harley Benton Stratocaster. Studio version, Master of Puppets (1986)

Original rig

Jackson King V with EMG 81/60 → Mesa Boogie Mark IIC+ (preamp) → Marshall JCM800 100W (power amp) → Marshall 4x12 cabs

Scooped thrash rhythm with tight palm-mute attack and razor-sharp treble bite

Amp settings — Harley Benton HB-20MFX

CHANNELOverdrive

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	9
Bass	7
Mid	2
Treble	8
Reverb	0
Master	6

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Why these settings

The HB-20MFX lacks the Mark IIC+'s graphic EQ, so the extreme mid-scoop (original mid=3, V-curve EQ with -6dB at 750Hz) is compensated by dropping mid to 2 and pushing treble to 8 vs original's 6-7. Your single-coil bridge pickup is thinner and less compressed than Hetfield's active EMG 81, so gain is maxed at 9 to compensate for lower output. Bass stays at 7 to retain palm-mute chunk without muddiness.

PRO TIPHetfield's tone lives in the right hand — dig into aggressive downstrokes with the pick tip angled toward the bridge pickup for maximum string snap, and keep palm-mutes tight but not choked to preserve the percussive attack through the scoop.

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These settings are for a Harley Benton HB-20MFX. 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.