Master of Puppets amp settings — Laney LX35R
The Metallica guitar tone for “Master of Puppets”, dialed in for a Laney LX35R with a ibanez gio GRG121DX. Studio version, Master of Puppets (1986)
Jackson King V with EMG 81 bridge pickup → Mesa Boogie Mark IIC+ (preamp, gain 9, mid 3-4, bass 8, treble 8, presence 7) → BB/Aphex EQF-1 parametric EQ → Marshall JCM800 100W (power amp) → Marshall 4x12 cabs
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 0 |
| Bass | 8 |
| Mid | 3 |
| Treble | 7 |
| Reverb | 0 |
| Master | 6 |
01Boss Metal Zone (Ultra Metal)
Acts as the Mark IIC+ preamp — provides the scooped V-shape EQ and saturation
The Laney LX35R is a solid-state British-voiced amp with no presence control — the Mesa's gain staging and V-shape EQ are recreated entirely through the Ultra Metal pedal. Set the amp's Overdrive channel to minimal gain (0) because the pedal is the gain source. The Ultra Metal's Mid Freq at 4 and Mid Level at 3 replicate the famous 'Hetfield scoop' (750Hz cut). Your Ibanez's humbuckers are passive, not EMG 81 actives — the pedal's Dist at 9 compensates for lower output.
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These settings are for a Laney LX35R. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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