Tone library / Metallica / Master of Puppets

Master of Puppets amp settings — Line 6 HX Stomp

The Metallica guitar tone for “Master of Puppets”, dialed in for a Line 6 HX Stomp with a Fender American Original 60s Stratocaster. Studio version, Master of Puppets (1986)

Original rig

Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (preamp) slaved into modified Marshall JCM800 (power amp), Jackson King V with EMG 81/60, BB/Aphex EQF-1 parametric EQ in loop

Massive scooped thrash rhythm with tight low end, aggressive treble bite, and deeply cut midrange — the 'Hetfield scoop'

Amp settings — Line 6 HX Stomp

CHANNELMesa IIC+ model (Cali Texas Ch2 or equivalent Mark series model)BRIGHToffBOOSToff

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

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Parametric EQ Block

Place post-amp in signal chain to create the V-shaped EQ curve — boost 80Hz and 6.6kHz, cut 750Hz hard. This replicates the Aphex parametric EQ Hetfield used in the effects loop

Low Freq 8 · Low Gain 7 · Mid Freq 3 · Mid Gain 2 · High Freq 7 · High Gain 6

02Noise Gate Block

Post-EQ, tightens the palm mutes and kills hum between riffs

Threshold 4 · Decay 3

Why these settings

Your Strat's single coils are significantly lower output and brighter than Hetfield's EMG 81. Gain +1 vs original to compensate for output difference. The IIC+ model in the HX Stomp gets you the preamp character — add a Marshall cab IR (4x12 with V30s or Greenbacks) to replicate the JCM800 power section they slaved into. Mid at 3 is the critical 'Hetfield scoop' that defines this tone. The post-amp parametric EQ block is non-negotiable for authenticity.

PRO TIPDownpick everything and palm-mute harder than you think — Hetfield's right-hand attack is 50% of this tone. The Strat bridge pickup will sound thinner than EMGs, so angle your pick slightly and dig in closer to the bridge to add harmonic aggression.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Line 6 HX Stomp. 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.