Master of Puppets amp settings — Marshall DSL40CR
The Metallica guitar tone for “Master of Puppets”, dialed in for a Marshall DSL40CR with a Fender Player Stratocaster. Studio version, Master of Puppets (1986) — signature main riff
Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ slaved into Marshall JCM800 power amp + Jackson King V with Seymour Duncan Invader / Jackson RR with EMG 81
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 7 |
| Bass | 7 |
| Mid | 3 |
| Treble | 6 |
| Presence | 4 |
| Reverb | 0 |
| Master | 4 |
01Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer
RECOMMENDED — not currently owned; tightens low-end flub on single coils
02Boss GE-7 Graphic Equalizer
RECOMMENDED — not currently owned; place in FX loop to dial the exact Mesa 'V' curve at 800Hz
The DSL40CR's Ultra Gain OD2 mode delivers the required high-gain saturation without external pedals, but because the Strat's bridge single coil is thinner and brighter than James's Invader humbucker, guitar tone is pulled back to 8 and amp bass is pushed to 7. Mid is pulled down to 3 to emulate the Mark IIC+'s graphic EQ scoop while keeping presence at 4 to prevent the Marshall upper-mid bite from becoming fizzy. Clean interlude: switch to Classic Gain Clean channel, roll guitar volume to 7, and select the neck+middle position.
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