Tone library / Metallica / Master of Puppets

Master of Puppets amp settings — Peavey Backstage II

The Metallica guitar tone for “Master of Puppets”, dialed in for a Peavey Backstage II with a Ibanez GIO GRG170DX. Studio version, Master of Puppets album (1986) — iconic rhythm riff tone

Original rig

Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ head, Marshall 4x12 cabinet, 1984 Gibson Explorer with EMG 81 (bridge), Boss CS-1 Compressor in FX loop for sustain

Tight, aggressive rhythm crunch with scooped low-mids, sharp upper-mid attack, and controlled low-end thump

Amp settings — Peavey Backstage II

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	10
Bass	4
Mid	6
Treble	7
Master	6

Don’t have a Peavey Backstage II? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE8 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Boss MT-2 Metal Zone or ProCo RAT

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. The Backstage II is a 35-watt solid-state practice amp with limited gain; it cannot produce Mark IIC+ saturation. A Metal Zone or RAT into the clean amp is essential for this tone. Run amp gain at 3-4 when using this pedal.

Level 7 · Low 4 · High 6 · Mid 5 · Mid Freq 6 · Dist 7

Why these settings

The Peavey Backstage II is a clean-voiced solid-state practice amp — even maxed, its gain cannot approach Mesa Mark IIC+ saturation. I've set amp gain to 10 as your current maximum, but this will sound weak and fizzy without a distortion pedal. The GRG170DX's Infinity R humbuckers are lower output than EMG 81s, so I've pushed treble +1 and kept mids higher than the original's scooped setting to compensate for the amp's lack of mid-focus. With the recommended pedal, drop amp gain to 3-4 and let the pedal drive.

PRO TIPHetfield's right-hand attack is 90% of this tone — aggressive all-downstroke picking with the pick angled slightly and palm muting just behind the bridge saddles. Practice the gallop pattern slowly with consistent muting pressure before speeding up.

Get this tone on your amp

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

Get ToneAdapt on Google Play

More tones for the Peavey Backstage II

Jane!The Long Faces Kubiwa Kyouiku no Susumegulu gulu

Find your amp

Browse

Peavey Backstage II settingsALL SONGS FOR THIS AMP Master of Puppets on other ampsSAME SONG, YOUR AMP Metallica tonesALL SONGS Ibanez GIO GRG170DX tonesSAME GUITAR Tone libraryEVERYTHING

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.