Tone library / Metallica / Master of Puppets

Master of Puppets amp settings — Positive Grid Spark 40

The Metallica guitar tone for “Master of Puppets”, dialed in for a Positive Grid Spark 40 with a Jackson JS22 Dinky. Studio recording, Master of Puppets (1986) — Main Riff/Rhythm

Original rig

Jackson King V ('Kill Bon Jovi' with Seymour Duncan Invaders) -> Mesa Boogie Mark IIC+ ('Crunchberries' preamp) slaved into Marshall JCM800 2203 power section -> Marshall 1960B 4x12 (Celestion G12T-75s) with 5-band Graphic EQ V-curve

Aggressive, ultra-tight scooped high-gain thrash crunch with sharp attack and punchy low-end thump

Amp settings — Positive Grid Spark 40

CHANNELTreadplate (Mesa Boogie model block)BRIGHToffBOOSToff

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	7
Bass	6
Mid	3
Treble	7
Reverb	0
Master	6

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Graphic EQ (Onboard Spark EQ Block)

Post-amp V-curve EQ emulation

100Hz 7 · 250Hz 6 · 630Hz 2 · 1.6kHz 3 · 4kHz 7

Why these settings

The Spark 40's Treadplate model replicates Mesa-style preamps, but the classic Mark IIC+ sound relies heavily on post-preamp graphic EQ shaping. Scooping the mid knob to 3 on the amp while engaging the onboard Graphic EQ block in a classic 'V' shape gives the authentic tight thrash chunk without sounding hollow. Clean interlude: switch amp model to Black Duo (Fender/JC clean) and engage the onboard Digital Chorus.

PRO TIPStrict all-downstroke picking right up against the bridge saddles is essential to get the lightning-fast, percussive attack of Hetfield's rhythm track.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Positive Grid Spark 40. 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.