Tone library / Metallica / Master of puppets

Master of puppets amp settings — Line 6 Spider V 30

The Metallica guitar tone for “Master of puppets”, dialed in for a Line 6 Spider V 30 with a Jackson Pro Series Soloist. Studio version, Master of Puppets (1986) — signature rhythm riff

Original rig

Jackson King V / Gibson Explorer with Seymour Duncan Invader humbuckers into Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ slaved to Marshall JCM800 power amp, Marshall 4x12 cab, Aphex Parametric EQ

Tight, aggressive, mid-scooped thrash rhythm with sharp pick attack and tight low-end thump

Amp settings — Line 6 Spider V 30

CHANNELInsane amp model (or Treadplate)BOOSToff

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	6
Bass	7
Mid	3
Treble	7
Reverb	0
Master	5

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Why these settings

The Line 6 Spider Insane voice runs hot, so gain is kept at 6 to maintain attack clarity rather than mush. The Spider V 30 has no physical presence control on the faceplate, so treble is pushed to 7 with mids pulled back to 3 to emulate the studio Mark IIC+ 'V-curve' graphic EQ. For the clean interlude, switch to the Clean amp model and select the neck pickup.

PRO TIPAnchor your palm firmly across the bridge saddles and execute aggressive, strict downpicking with a heavy 1.0mm+ tortex or ultex pick right over the bridge pickup to reproduce Hetfield's signature percussive chug.

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These settings are for a Line 6 Spider V 30. 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.