Tone library / Metallica / Master of puppets

Master of puppets amp settings — Marshall Mg15G

The Metallica guitar tone for “Master of puppets”, dialed in for a Marshall Mg15G with a Ibanez Grg121BX-BKF. Studio version, Master of Puppets album (1986)

Original rig

Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ preamp → Marshall JCM800 100W power amp → Marshall 4x12 cab; Jackson King V Custom with EMG 81/60 pickups

Tight, aggressive thrash rhythm with scooped mids, razor-sharp pick attack, and crushing palm-muted low end

Amp settings — Marshall Mg15G

CHANNELOD1 or OD2 (Overdrive channel)

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

Don’t have a Marshall Mg15G? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE8 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Boss MT-2 Metal Zone or Behringer HM300 Heavy Metal

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. The MG15G's gain structure lacks the saturation and tightness needed for this tone. A dedicated metal distortion pedal is essential to get close. Budget option: Behringer HM300 (~$25). If using pedal, set amp to Clean channel with gain at 0.

Level 7 · Low 6 · High 7 · Mid Freq 4 · Mid Level 2 · Dist 7

Why these settings

The MG15G is a solid-state practice amp with limited gain saturation and a boxy, mid-forward EQ compared to the Mesa IIC+'s tight, scooped tube compression. I've pushed gain to maximum and scooped mids hard to approximate the thrash scoop, but the amp physically cannot produce the saturated, defined palm-mute chug of the original. A metal distortion pedal is strongly recommended; without one, you'll get an approximation but not the real thing.

PRO TIPHetfield's tone lives in his picking hand—strict downstrokes with the pick angled slightly, attacking the strings directly over the bridge pickup. Practice palm muting with your hand planted firmly near the bridge saddles; the tighter your muting, the more defined your chugs. This technique matters more than any knob setting.

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These settings are for a Marshall Mg15G. 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.