Tone library / Metallica / Master of puppets

Master of puppets amp settings — Yamaha THR10II

The Metallica guitar tone for “Master of puppets”, dialed in for a Yamaha THR10II with a Yamaha Pacifica 112V. Studio version, Master of Puppets album (1986), Eb Standard tuning

Original rig

Jackson King V 'Kill Bon Jovi' (EMG 81/60) → Mesa Boogie Mark IIC+ preamp → Marshall JCM800 power amp → Marshall 4x12 cab

Tight, aggressive scooped-mid thrash rhythm with razor-sharp pick attack and crushing low end

Amp settings — Yamaha THR10II

CHANNELHI GAIN (British amp model)

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

Don’t have a Yamaha THR10II? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE8 VOLUME10

Why these settings

The THR10II's HI GAIN British model approximates the Marshall power section's grind. Your Pacifica's Alnico V single-coil bridge pickup has less output and compression than Hetfield's EMGs, so gain is pushed to 8 (vs original ~7) to compensate. Mids scooped to 3 to replicate the classic thrash V-curve; bass dropped from original 6 to 5 because the THR's small speaker emphasizes low-mids. Tone knob rolled to 8 to tame single-coil brightness that EMGs don't have.

PRO TIPHetfield's tone lives in his right hand — use aggressive all-downstroke picking with your palm muting right at the bridge saddles, not further back. The attack transient and muted tightness are 60% of this sound; without it, even perfect settings sound flabby.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Yamaha THR10II. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

Get ToneAdapt on Google Play

More tones for the Yamaha THR10II

Sweet Child O' MineGuns N' Roses evheddie van halen Ain't talking about loveVan halen NightmareAvenged Sevenfold hotel CaliforniaEagles Fluorescent AdolescentArctic Monkeys

Find your amp

Browse

Yamaha THR10II settingsALL SONGS FOR THIS AMP Master of puppets on other ampsSAME SONG, YOUR AMP Metallica tonesALL SONGS Metallica on the Yamaha THR10IISAME ARTIST, SAME AMP Yamaha Pacifica 112V tonesSAME GUITAR Tone libraryEVERYTHING

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.