Tone library / Metallica / Master of Puppets

Master of Puppets amp settings — Lyx pro Agl-20

The Metallica guitar tone for “Master of Puppets”, dialed in for a Lyx pro Agl-20 with a Fender Player Stratocaster. Studio version, Master of Puppets (1986) — main rhythm riff

Original rig

Mesa Boogie Mark IIC+ (slaved into Marshall JCM800 2203 power section) + Jackson King V with Seymour Duncan Invaders / EMG 81, Mesa 5-band Graphic EQ in V-curve

Aggressive, tight high-gain thrash crunch with deeply scooped mids and precise low-end punch
Amp settings — Lyx pro Agl-20
CHANNELDrive Channel (Drive switch ON)
GAIN 8 BASS 6 MID 2 TREBLE 7 MASTER 5
KnobSetting (0–10)
Gain8
Bass6
Mid2
Treble7
Master5
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Guitar
PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10
Signal chain

01ProCo Rat 2 or Boss MT-2 Metal Zone

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned

Distortion 7 · Filter 4 · Volume 6
Why these settings

The LyxPro AGL-20 is an entry-level solid-state practice amp with a 3-band EQ and basic drive channel, lacking the cascaded tube saturation and graphic EQ V-curve of Hetfield's Mark IIC+. To emulate the classic Metallica scoop, the amp's mid control is pulled down to 2 while pushing gain to 8 on the drive channel, keeping bass at 6 to prevent the small speaker from flubbing. With a high-gain distortion pedal added later, switch the amp to the clean channel with gain dropped to 2. Clean interlude: switch drive channel off and select the neck/middle pickup.

PRO TIPAnchor your palm firmly against the bridge saddles and execute aggressive, continuous downpicking near the bridge pickup to emulate James Hetfield's signature percussive attack.

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These settings are for a Lyx pro Agl-20. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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