Tone library / Metallica / Master of Puppets

Master of Puppets amp settings — Revoltage RV-15M

The Metallica guitar tone for “Master of Puppets”, dialed in for a Revoltage RV-15M with a PSD Guitars STC-100-HSS. Studio version, Master of Puppets album (1986)

Original rig

Jackson King V 'Kill Bon Jovi' with EMG 81/60 → Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (preamp) slaved into modified Marshall JCM800 (power amp) → Marshall 4x12 cabs

Tight, aggressive scooped-mid thrash rhythm with razor-sharp pick attack and crushing low end

Amp settings — Revoltage RV-15M

CHANNELHigh Gain / Lead channel (if available)BRIGHTonBOOSTon

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

Signal chain

01Boss GE-7 Graphic EQ

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. Critical for replicating the V-shaped graphic EQ curve that defines this tone. Run in FX loop if available, otherwise before amp input.

100Hz 7 · 200Hz 5 · 400Hz 2 · 800Hz 2 · 1.6kHz 3 · 3.2kHz 6 · 6.4kHz 7 · Level 5

Why these settings

The RV-15M is an entry-level solid-state amp without the Mark IIC+'s saturated preamp character or graphic EQ. Mids are dropped to 3 to approximate the scooped thrash sound; bass and treble pushed to 7 for the V-curve. Your HSS guitar's single-coil-sized bridge humbucker has less output than Hetfield's EMGs, so gain is maxed at 8 to compensate. Without a graphic EQ pedal, this will be an approximation—the defining mid-scoop of the original requires external EQ shaping.

PRO TIPHetfield's tone lives in his right hand—strict downpicking with the pick angled slightly and planted near the bridge for maximum palm-mute tightness. Practice the main riff at 60% speed with relentless downstrokes before speeding up; alternate picking will never sound like this record.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Revoltage RV-15M. 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.