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 Ibanez JEM7V Steve Vai. Studio version, Master of Puppets (1986) — main rhythm riff tone

Original rig

Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ head into Marshall 4x12 cabinet, 1984 Gibson Explorer with EMG 81 active humbucker (bridge), no pedals — all gain from amp preamp, quad-tracked

Tight, percussive, scooped-mid thrash metal rhythm with aggressive palm-mute definition, high-gain saturation, fast attack, focused low end, minimal ambience

Amp settings — Vox VT40X

CHANNELVO HIGAIN (modeled high-gain voicing closest to Mesa Boogie rectifier-style saturation)BRIGHToffBOOSToff

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

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Why these settings

The VT40X VO HIGAIN model approximates the tight, compressed saturation of the Mark IIC+. Your JEM7V DiMarzio humbuckers are hotter and brighter than Hetfield's EMG 81, so gain drops from the original's 9 to 8, and treble stays conservative at 7 to avoid ice-pick highs. Mid at 3 replicates the signature Hetfield scoop — the VT40X mid control responds similarly to the Mesa's V-shaped EQ center. Bass pushed to 7 compensates for the Vox's naturally tighter low-end vs the Mesa's massive bottom.

PRO TIPDownpick every note with your picking hand anchored near the bridge for maximum percussive attack — Hetfield's right-hand precision is 50% of this tone. Palm mute with moderate pressure, not too tight, to let the low-end thump through.

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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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