Tone library / Metallica / Master of Puppets

Master of Puppets amp settings — Zoom Fire 30

The Metallica guitar tone for “Master of Puppets”, dialed in for a Zoom Fire 30 with a Epiphone Les Paul Standard 50s. Studio version, Master of Puppets (1986) - Main iconic rhythm track

Original rig

Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (preamp with V-curve graphic EQ) into Marshall JCM800 2203 power section, Gibson Explorer / Jackson King V with high-output humbuckers

Aggressive, tight, high-gain thrash rhythm with deeply scooped mids and punchy low-end

Amp settings — Zoom Fire 30

CHANNELMetal voice (Drive Type: Metal)BOOSToff

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

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Why these settings

The Zoom Fire 30 provides digital modeling voices; selecting the 'Metal' drive type recreates the high-gain Mesa Mark IIC+ saturation. Mids are cut hard to 2 to replicate the iconic graphic EQ 'V-curve' from the record, while bass is pushed to 8 to mimic the thick low-end thump of Hetfield's 4x12 cab. Keep reverb strictly at 0 for a tight, bone-dry thrash response.

PRO TIPStrict all-downstroke picking right up against the bridge with aggressive palm-muting is critical to locking in the percussive attack of the main riff.

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These settings are for a Zoom Fire 30. 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.