Tone library / Metallica / Master of puppets

Master of puppets amp settings — KA 20 Idk

The Metallica guitar tone for “Master of puppets”, dialed in for a KA 20 Idk with a Ibenz Grg121dx. Studio version, Master of Puppets (1986) - Main iconic rhythm track

Original rig

Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (preamp with classic V-curve 5-band graphic EQ) slaved into Marshall JCM800 2203 power amp + Marshall 4x12 cab, Jackson King V / Gibson Explorer with high-output humbuckers

Aggressive, tight, high-gain thrash rhythm with deeply scooped mids and punchy low-end

Amp settings — KA 20 Idk

CHANNELOverdrive / Lead channel

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

Don’t have a KA 20 Idk? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01ProCo Rat 2 or Boss DS-1 Distortion

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned; with this pedal, switch amp to clean and set gain to 2

Distortion 7 · Filter 5 · Volume 7

Why these settings

Your amp is an unverified compact 20W practice amp, so only universal controls are dialed with presence and mid set to null. To simulate the famous Mesa Mark IIC+ 'V-curve' scoop without external pedals, the amp's drive channel is pushed to 8 with bass and treble boosted. The high-output IBZ-6 ceramic humbuckers on your Ibanez GRG121DX provide the necessary bite and attack at the bridge position.

PRO TIPStrictly downpick all main rhythm riffs and plant the palm of your picking hand tight against the bridge saddles for a dry, percussive chug without letting low-end frequencies ring out.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a KA 20 Idk. 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.