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Master of puppets amp settings — Marshall MG30CFX

The Metallica guitar tone for “Master of puppets”, dialed in for a Marshall MG30CFX with a Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s. Studio version, Master of Puppets (1986) — main rhythm riff

Original rig

James Hetfield: Jackson King V (Seymour Duncan Invader bridge) into Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ slaved into Marshall power amp/cabs, classic V-curve graphic EQ scoop

Aggressive, tight thrash metal rhythm with deep low-end thump, scooped 750Hz mids, and razor-sharp picking attack

Amp settings — Marshall MG30CFX

CHANNELOD2

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

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Why these settings

The Marshall MG30CFX lacks the Mesa graphic EQ, so the mid control is pulled down to 3 on the OD2 channel to emulate the iconic Mark IIC+ V-curve scoop. Because the MG solid-state preamp can get fizzy, keep treble at 7 and bass at 8 to simulate the thumping 4x12 cab response without presence (which does not physically exist on this amp). Clean interlude: switch to the Clean channel with bass 6, mid 5, treble 6, and dial in the built-in chorus.

PRO TIPStrict, aggressive downpicking with the side of the palm anchored tightly against the bridge saddles is essential to get the percussive, mechanical chug heard on the record.

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These settings are for a Marshall MG30CFX. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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