Tone library / Metallica / Master of puppets

Master of puppets amp settings — Vox VT-20X

The Metallica guitar tone for “Master of puppets”, dialed in for a Vox VT-20X with a Ibanez RG550. Studio version, Master of Puppets album (1986)

Original rig

Mesa Boogie Mark IIC+ preamp → Marshall JCM800 power amp, ESP Explorer with EMG 81 (bridge), quad-tracked rhythms

Tight, aggressive thrash rhythm with scooped mids, razor-sharp pick attack, crushing low end, extreme note definition at high gain

Amp settings — Vox VT-20X

CHANNELNU METAL model (closest to high-gain Mesa voicing)BRIGHToffBOOSToff

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	8
Bass	7
Mid	3
Treble	7
Presence	6
Reverb	0
Master	5

Don’t have a Vox VT-20X? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Boss GX-1 — Graphic EQ block

Place in FX loop or post-amp block — this V-shaped EQ is critical to the Master of Puppets scoop; cut 750Hz hard, boost 80Hz and 2200Hz

80Hz 8 · 240Hz 5 · 750Hz 1 · 2200Hz 8 · 6600Hz 6 · Level 5

02Boss GX-1 — Noise Gate block

Tightens palm mutes and kills hum between phrases — essential for thrash precision

Threshold 4 · Decay 3

Why these settings

The VT20X's NU METAL model approximates the Mark IIC+ high-gain saturation better than its other voicings. Your RG550's humbuckers are hotter than Hetfield's 1986 EMGs, so gain stays at 8 rather than pushing higher. The critical 'scooped mid' character comes from the GX-1's graphic EQ block mimicking Hetfield's 5-band V-shape — without it, the tone will sound too midrangey and honky.

PRO TIPHetfield's tone is 90% picking hand — use aggressive, consistent downstrokes with the pick angled slightly toward the bridge; anchor your palm firmly on the strings for tight, percussive mutes. The amp settings mean nothing if you're alternate picking or floating your hand.

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These settings are for a Vox VT-20X. 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.