Tone library / Metallica / Master of puppets

Master of puppets amp settings — TC Electronic BAM200

The Metallica guitar tone for “Master of puppets”, dialed in for a TC Electronic BAM200 with a Gibson Les Paul Standard 60s. Studio version, Master of Puppets (1986) - Main rhythm track

Original rig

Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (preamp with V-curve graphic EQ) into Marshall JCM800 2203 power amp, Jackson King V / Gibson Explorer

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

Amp settings — TC Electronic BAM200

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	9
Bass	7
Mid	2
Treble	8
Master	5

Don’t have a TC Electronic BAM200? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Boss MT-2 Metal Zone

RECOMMENDED — not owned

Level 6 · Dist 7 · Low 7 · High 7 · Middle 2 · Mid Freq 5

Why these settings

The TC Electronic BAM200 is an ultra-clean solid-state bass micro-head with a 3-band EQ and no dedicated presence or reverb controls, meaning it cannot produce genuine high-gain tube preamp saturation on its own. Gain is pushed to 9 to extract maximum internal drive while cutting mids to 2 to mimic the iconic Mark IIC+ 'V-curve' graphic EQ. A dedicated high-gain distortion pedal like a Boss MT-2 or Mesa Throttle Box is strongly recommended to achieve authentic Metallica saturation into this clean platform.

PRO TIPUse strict downpicking with heavy palm-muting right against the bridge saddles to get the razor-sharp, percussive attack characteristic of James Hetfield's rhythm playing.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a TC Electronic BAM200. 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.