Tone library / Metallica / Master of Puppets

Master of Puppets amp settings — Nux Mighty 15 Se

The Metallica guitar tone for “Master of Puppets”, dialed in for a Nux Mighty 15 Se with a Washburn RX10. Studio version, Master of Puppets album (1986)

Original rig

Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ preamp → Marshall JCM800 power amp, Jackson King V / ESP Explorer with EMG 81 (bridge), graphic EQ with V-shape scoop

Tight, aggressive thrash rhythm with scooped mids, razor-sharp pick attack, crushing low end, high-gain saturation with note definition

Amp settings — Nux Mighty 15 Se

CHANNELLead/High Gain channel (or 'Modern' amp model if selectable)BRIGHToffBOOSTon

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

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Why these settings

Your Washburn RX10 has passive humbuckers vs Hetfield's hot EMG 81 actives, so gain is pushed to 8 to compensate for lower output. The Nux Mighty 15 SE's high-gain channel approximates the Mark IIC+ voicing reasonably well. Mid at 3 replicates the iconic V-shaped scoop; bass at 7 provides the low-end thump without mud since the Nux has tighter low-end response than a boosted tube head.

PRO TIPHetfield's tone is 50% technique: strict all-downstroke picking with the pick angled slightly and palm muting positioned right at the bridge saddles—too far forward kills the attack, too far back loses the chunk. Practice at 80% tempo with a metronome until your downstrokes are metronomic.

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These settings are for a Nux Mighty 15 Se. 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.