Tone library / Metallica / Master of puppets

Master of puppets amp settings — Roland Cube 30 cosm

The Metallica guitar tone for “Master of puppets”, dialed in for a Roland Cube 30 cosm with a Fender Player Stratocaster. Studio version, Master of Puppets (1986)

Original rig

Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ preamp → Marshall JCM800 power amp, ESP Explorer with Seymour Duncan Invaders (bridge), Marshall 4x12 cabs

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

Amp settings — Roland Cube 30 cosm

CHANNELR-FIER (Rectifier model)

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	8
Bass	5
Mid	2
Treble	7
Presence	6
Reverb	0
Master	5

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Why these settings

The Cube's R-FIER model approximates the Mesa Rectifier voicing closest to Hetfield's Mark IIC+ scooped-mid attack. Your Strat's single-coil bridge pickup is significantly brighter and lower output than Hetfield's humbuckers, so bass is pulled back to 5 (from original 6) to prevent flub, mids dropped to 2 to maintain the thrash scoop, and treble stays at 7 since the Strat will naturally add presence. Gain pushed to 8 to compensate for lower pickup output.

PRO TIPHetfield's tone lives in his picking hand — strict downstrokes with the pick angled slightly, attacking directly over the bridge pickup. Palm mute firmly and pick aggressively; the Cube will reward that attack with tighter low end. Tune down to E♭ Standard to match the record.

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These settings are for a Roland Cube 30 cosm. 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.