Master of Puppets amp settings — LINE 6 Spider IV 75
The Metallica guitar tone for “Master of Puppets”, dialed in for a LINE 6 Spider IV 75 with a PRS SE Mikael Akerfeldt. Studio version, Master of Puppets (1986)
Jackson King V 'Kill Bon Jovi' with EMG 81/60 → Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (preamp) → Marshall JCM800 (power amp) → Marshall 4x12. Ibanez TS-808 used as a clean boost in front.
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 7 |
| Bass | 7 |
| Mid | 3 |
| Treble | 7 |
| Presence | 6 |
| Reverb | 0 |
| Master | 5 |
01Tube Screamer (TS9 or TS808)
RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. This is critical to the Hetfield tone: drive near zero, level cranked. It tightens the low end and adds pick attack definition. Without it, the Spider's Insane channel will sound loose and fizzy. A Maxon OD808, Boss SD-1, or any TS clone works.
The Spider IV's Insane channel is a high-gain modern voicing — closer to a Rectifier than a Mark IIC+. To compensate: mid at 3 recreates the scooped V-curve, but not as aggressively as the original (Spider mids are already scooped by design). Gain at 7 instead of 8 because the Insane channel runs hotter than the Mark IIC+ lead channel. Bass at 7 gives the thump, but without a TS in front, palm mutes will lack definition.
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These settings are for a LINE 6 Spider IV 75. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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