Tone library / Metallica / Master of Puppets

Master of Puppets amp settings — Marshall Code 50

The Metallica guitar tone for “Master of Puppets”, dialed in for a Marshall Code 50 with a Vintage AFD 100 Paradise. Studio version, Master of Puppets (1986) - Main rhythm riff

Original rig

Mesa Boogie Mark IIC+ ('Crunchberries' preamp) slaved into Marshall JCM800 power amp, Marshall 1960B 4x12 cab, Jackson King V with high-output humbuckers, Aphex EQF-1 with classic V-curve graphic EQ scoop

Aggressive, tight high-gain thrash crunch with punchy lows, scooped lower mids, and biting top end

Amp settings — Marshall Code 50

CHANNELAmerican High Gain preamp model + British 1960V 4x12 cab (or JVM/OD model)BOOSToff

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	7
Bass	8
Mid	3
Treble	7
Reverb	0
Master	5

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Why these settings

The Marshall Code 50 is a digital modeling amp, so we select the 'American High Gain' preamp model to emulate James Hetfield's Mesa Mark IIC+ front end through a 4x12 cab model. The mid control is pulled down to 3 with bass and treble pushed to recreate the studio post-gain graphic EQ V-curve scoop without muddying the palm-muted attack. For the clean middle interlude, switch to the 'Clean American' model with a touch of chorus.

PRO TIPHit every palm-muted chug strictly with aggressive downstrokes close to the bridge saddles to get Hetfield's percussive, machine-gun pick attack.

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These settings are for a Marshall Code 50. 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.