Tone library / Metallica / Master of puppets

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

The Metallica guitar tone for “Master of puppets”, dialed in for a Harley Benton HB-20R with a Donner DST-550. 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 — Harley Benton HB-20R

CHANNELOverdrive channel (Select switch IN)

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	7
Bass	6
Mid	2
Treble	8
Reverb	0
Master	4

Don’t have a Harley Benton HB-20R? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01ProCo Rat 2 or Boss MT-2 Metal Zone

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned

Distortion 7 · Filter / Tone 5 · Volume / Level 6

Why these settings

The HB-20R lacks the cascading preamp tube saturation of a Mesa IIC+, so engage its Overdrive channel with gain pushed to 7 to deliver immediate thrash crunch. Dial the mid control down to 2 to replicate the famous 5-band graphic EQ V-curve scoop, while keeping bass at 6 to prevent the 8-inch speaker from flubbing out on palm mutes. Clean interlude: switch amp to Clean channel and roll guitar volume to 7.

PRO TIPAnchor your palm firmly against the bridge saddles and execute aggressive, all-downstroke picking to get the signature percussive chug of the main riff.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Harley Benton HB-20R. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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