Master of Puppets amp settings — Marshall MG100HDFX
The Metallica guitar tone for “Master of Puppets”, dialed in for a Marshall MG100HDFX with a Epiphone Extura Prophecy. Studio version, Master of Puppets (1986) — main rhythm riff
Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ slaved into Marshall JCM800 2203 power section, Aphex EQF-1/Boss GE-7 V-curve in loop, Jackson King V with EMG 81
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 6 |
| Bass | 6 |
| Mid | 4 |
| Treble | 7 |
| Reverb | 0 |
| Master | 4 |
01Ibanez Tube Screamer TS9
Tight boost in front of the amp to shave sub-bass and sharpen picking transients
02Boss GE-7 Equalizer
(FX loop) Replicates the critical Mark IIC+ 5-band graphic V-curve post-distortion
The Marshall MG100HDFX has a strong British mid-bark on OD2 rather than the scooped American high-gain of a Mesa Mark IIC+. Running the Boss GE-7 in the amp's FX loop provides the essential post-gain 'V-curve' cut around 800Hz while pushing top and bottom, while the TS9 in front tightens the low end before the solid-state preamp breaks up. The Fishman Fluence pickups on your Extura in Voice 1 modern active mode directly mirror Hetfield's high-output EMG 81 attack. Clean interlude: switch to clean channel and neck pickup.
Get this tone on your amp
These settings are for a Marshall MG100HDFX. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
Get ToneAdapt on Google PlaySong, 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.