Master of Puppets amp settings — Marshall JCM800 JCM800
The Metallica guitar tone for “Master of Puppets”, dialed in for a Marshall JCM800 JCM800 with a Ibanez GRG121DX. Studio album track, Master of Puppets (1986) — signature main rhythm riff
Mesa Boogie Mark IIC+ (preamp with graphic EQ V-curve) slaved into Marshall JCM800 2203 power section; Jackson King V with Seymour Duncan Invader humbuckers
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 9 |
| Bass | 8 |
| Mid | 3 |
| Treble | 7 |
| Presence | 6 |
| Reverb | 0 |
| Master | 4 |
01Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer
RECOMMENDED — not currently owned; run in front to tighten low-end and boost front-end saturation
The JCM800 is naturally mid-forward compared to Hetfield's heavily scooped Mesa Mark IIC+ preamp, so pull the Mid control down to 3 while pushing Bass to 8 and Preamp Gain to 9 for maximum chug. Adding a TS-style overdrive as a clean boost (Drive 0, Level high) will cut loose sub-bass before the preamp and give you the razor-sharp palm-mute tracking of the original record. Clean interlude: switch to the guitar's neck pickup and roll guitar volume back to 3-4.
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These settings are for a Marshall JCM800 JCM800. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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