Tone library / Metallica / Master of Puppets

Master of Puppets amp settings — Thonmann-str Hb-40MFX

The Metallica guitar tone for “Master of Puppets”, dialed in for a Thonmann-str Hb-40MFX with a Harley benton Les paul. Studio version, Master of Puppets album (1986), main rhythm riff tone

Original rig

Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (preamp) slaved into Marshall JCM800 (power amp), Jackson King V / Gibson Explorer with EMG 81 (bridge), no pedals for distortion — all gain from amp, quad-tracked, V-shaped graphic EQ with deeply scooped mids

Tight, aggressive, scooped-mid thrash rhythm with percussive palm-muted attack and high-gain saturation

Amp settings — Thonmann-str Hb-40MFX

CHANNELHigh Gain / Lead channel (if selectable on HB-40MFX)BOOSTon (if available)

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	8
Bass	7
Mid	3
Treble	7
Reverb	0
Master	5

Don’t have a Thonmann-str Hb-40MFX? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Why these settings

The Thomann HB-40MFX is an unrecognized budget solid-state combo — knob names may differ on your faceplate. I've set presence to null as most amps in this class lack it. The original Mark IIC+ tone relied on a V-shaped graphic EQ scoop (boosted lows/highs, cut mids around 750Hz); replicate this by keeping mid at 3 while pushing bass and treble. Your Harley Benton LP's passive humbuckers are warmer and lower-output than Hetfield's active EMG 81, so I've added +1 to treble and gain vs the original to compensate for the reduced bite and output.

PRO TIPTune to E♭ standard (half-step down) to match the album — the tuning affects string tension and the riff's percussive thump. Use aggressive downpicking with your palm anchored firmly near the bridge for that tight, machine-gun attack Hetfield is known for.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Thonmann-str Hb-40MFX. 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.