Tone library / Metallica / Master of puppets

Master of puppets amp settings — Vox Pathfinder 10

The Metallica guitar tone for “Master of puppets”, dialed in for a Vox Pathfinder 10 with a Ibanez GIO GRG170DX. Studio version, Master of Puppets (1986) — main rhythm riff

Original rig

Jackson Custom Shop King V (Seymour Duncan Invader) -> Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (slaved into Marshall JCM800 power amp) with onboard 5-band graphic EQ set in a deep V-curve

Aggressive, tight, scooped thrash rhythm with crushing low-end chunk and sharp attack

Amp settings — Vox Pathfinder 10

CHANNELOverdrive (Clean/Overdrive switch pressed IN)

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

Don’t have a Vox Pathfinder 10? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01ProCo Rat 2 or Boss DS-1 (High-Gain Distortion)

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned

Distortion 8 · Filter 6 · Volume 7

Why these settings

The Vox Pathfinder 10 is an analog practice amp with a 2-band EQ (Bass and Treble only, no Mid control) and a 6.5-inch speaker. To emulate the Mesa Mark IIC+ scooped V-curve on this faceplate, push the Overdrive switch in, set Gain to 8, and dial both Bass and Treble to 7 to naturally hollow out the middle frequencies. Clean interlude: switch the amp's OD button off to Clean and roll guitar volume to 7.

PRO TIPStrict all-downstroke palm-muting right against the bridge saddles is essential for the percussive, machine-gun chug of this riff.

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These settings are for a Vox Pathfinder 10. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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