Tone library / Metallica / Master of Puppets

Master of Puppets amp settings — Roland Cube 40GX

The Metallica guitar tone for “Master of Puppets”, dialed in for a Roland Cube 40GX with a Jackson JS32 Dinky. Studio version, Master of Puppets (1986) - Main rhythm riff

Original rig

Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (V-curve 5-band graphic EQ) into Marshall JCM800 power amp, Gibson Explorer / Jackson King V with Seymour Duncan Invader humbuckers

Aggressive, tight, high-gain thrash rhythm with deeply scooped mids and punchy low-end

Amp settings — Roland Cube 40GX

CHANNELLEAD (R-FIER voice)

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

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Why these settings

The Roland Cube 40GX's 'R-FIER' voice models high-gain Mesa saturation, making it the ideal built-in model for this iconic rhythm tone. Cutting the Mid control down to 2 recreates the signature Mark IIC+ post-gain 5-band graphic EQ 'V-curve' scoop, while pushing Bass to 8 provides the tight low-end chug. Clean interlude: switch amp channel to JC CLEAN with neck pickup.

PRO TIPAnchor your palm heavily over the bridge saddles and execute aggressive, precise downpicking with a stiff 1.0mm+ pick to replicate James Hetfield's signature percussive attack.

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These settings are for a Roland Cube 40GX. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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