Tone library / Metallica / Master of Puppets

Master of Puppets amp settings — Vox VT40X

The Metallica guitar tone for “Master of Puppets”, dialed in for a Vox VT40X with a Jackson Pro Series Rhoads. Studio version, Master of Puppets (1986) — signature main riff

Original rig

Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (slaved into Marshall power amp/cabs, classic 5-band graphic EQ 'V' scoop) + Jackson King V / RR with high-output bridge pickups

Aggressive, tight high-gain thrash rhythm with scooped 750Hz mids and sharp top-end bite

Amp settings — Vox VT40X

CHANNELUS HIGAIN (Mesa-style amp model)BOOSToff

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	8
Bass	7
Mid	2
Treble	8
Reverb	0
Master	6

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Why these settings

The Vox VT40X's US HIGAIN model replicates the cascading preamp gain of the Mesa Mark series, allowing the amp to provide all the necessary saturation without external drive pedals. Cut the Mid control down to 2 to replicate the iconic Mark IIC+ post-gain 5-band graphic EQ 'V' curve, while keeping Treble and Bass prominent for percussive palm mutes. Clean interlude: switch to the DELUXE CLN model with neck pickup.

PRO TIPAnchor the palm of your picking hand firmly across the bridge saddles and execute strict, heavy downpicking on every rhythm eighth note to get the signature tight, mechanical attack.

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These settings are for a Vox VT40X. 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.