Master of puppets amp settings — Marshall Mg30fx
The Metallica guitar tone for “Master of puppets”, dialed in for a Marshall Mg30fx with a Ibanez GIO GRG170DX. Studio version, Master of Puppets (1986) — main rhythm riff
Jackson Custom Shop King V (Seymour Duncan Invader) -> Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (slaved into Marshall JCM800 power amp) with 5-band graphic EQ V-curve
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 2 |
| Bass | 6 |
| Mid | 5 |
| Treble | 5 |
| Reverb | 0 |
| Master | 5 |
01Boss MT-2 Metal Zone
Primary gain and EQ source (recreates the Mark IIC+ V-curve scoop)
The Boss MT-2 acts as the entire preamp and provides the iconic Mesa Mark IIC+ 'V-curve' graphic EQ scoop, so the Marshall MG30FX is set flat on the Clean channel at low gain to avoid muddy double-distortion. The MT-2 Mid knob is pulled back to 3 with Mid Freq set around 800Hz (knob at 4) to replicate the tight thrash scoop without losing pick attack. For the clean interlude, bypass the MT-2 and switch to the neck pickup.
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These settings are for a Marshall Mg30fx. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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