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 Fender Player Stratocaster. Studio version, Master of Puppets (1986) — main rhythm riff

Original rig

Jackson Custom Shop King V (Seymour Duncan Invader humbuckers) -> Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (slaved into Marshall JCM800 power section) with classic 5-band graphic EQ V-curve

Aggressive, tight, scooped thrash rhythm with crushing low-end chunk and sharp attack

Amp settings — Marshall Code 50

CHANNELAmerican High Gain (Mesa/Boogie model) + 1960V 4x12 CabBOOSToff

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	8
Bass	8
Mid	2
Treble	7
Reverb	0
Master	5

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Onboard Noise Gate

Enable built-in preamp noise gate to keep fast palm-muted stops dead silent

Threshold 7

02Onboard Guv'nor / OD Block

Optional onboard boost block to tighten low-end attack before the preamp

Drive 2 · Tone 6 · Level 8

Why these settings

The Marshall Code 50's 'American High Gain' model emulates the Mesa Mark series preamp; setting mids to 2 replicates the signature post-gain 5-band graphic EQ V-curve scoop. Because single coils on a Strat have less output and body than James' high-output humbuckers, push the amp gain to 8 and bass to 8 to restore punch and fullness. Clean interlude: switch to the 'Clean American' (Twin) preset with bridge+middle pickups and onboard chorus.

PRO TIPAnchor your palm heavily against the bridge saddle and execute strictly aggressive downstrokes for every eighth note to achieve the tight, percussive chunk unique to Hetfield's rhythm tracks.

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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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