Master of Puppets amp settings — M-Vave Blackbox
The Metallica guitar tone for “Master of Puppets”, dialed in for a M-Vave Blackbox with a Ibanez RG550. Studio version, Master of Puppets (1986) — signature distorted main riff/chug
Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ preamp slaved into Marshall JCM800 2203 power amp, Marshall 4x12 cabs, Gibson Explorer with Gibson ceramic humbuckers / Jackson King V with Seymour Duncan Invaders, Aphex parametric EQ inserted in loop (V-curve)
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 7 |
| Bass | 6 |
| Mid | 3 |
| Treble | 7 |
| Presence | 6 |
| Reverb | 0 |
| Master | 7 |
01Dunlop Cry Baby GCB95
Bypassed for rhythm riffing; kick on for Kirk's wah solos
02Noise Gate (M-Vave onboard block)
Essential to clamp the rapid palm-muted staccato bursts
03Graphic EQ (M-Vave post-amp block)
Emulate the Mark IIC+ classic 750Hz V-curve cut (boost lows and highs, deeply scoop mids)
The M-Vave Blackbox delivers direct digital emulation, so we dial a Mesa-style high-gain model with the signature post-gain 750Hz mid-scoop rather than relying on preamp tube sag. Your Ibanez RG550 V8 bridge humbucker has high output and crisp upper mids that push the model tightly into thrash saturation. Clean interlude: switch amp block to a clean Roland JC-120 style model and engage onboard chorus.
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These settings are for a M-Vave Blackbox. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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