Tone library / Metalluca / Master of puppets

Master of puppets amp settings — Kustom sounds Fx 15

The Metalluca guitar tone for “Master of puppets”, dialed in for a Kustom sounds Fx 15 with a Mantic Mst100 HSB S. Studio version, Master of Puppets (1986) - Main rhythm track

Original rig

Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ slaved into Marshall JCM800 power section, Jackson King V with Seymour Duncan Invaders / EMG 81, Mesa 5-Band Graphic EQ in V-curve

Aggressive, tight, scooped thrash rhythm with sharp attack and punchy low-end
Amp settings — Kustom sounds Fx 15
CHANNELLead / Drive Channel
GAIN 9 BASS 7 MID 3 TREBLE 8 REVERB 0 MASTER 6
KnobSetting (0–10)
Gain9
Bass7
Mid3
Treble8
Reverb0
Master6
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Guitar
PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10
Signal chain

01Boss MT-2 Metal Zone or ProCo Rat

RECOMMENDED — not owned (needed for true tight thrash saturation on a small practice amp; run amp on clean channel with gain at 2 if using this)

Level 7 · Dist 8 · High 7 · Low 7 · Middle 3 · Mid Freq 4
Why these settings

The Kustom Sound FX15 solid-state combo lacks the cascaded tube saturation and tight low-end filtering of a Mesa Mark IIC+. To compensate on the amp alone, push the drive channel gain to 9, scoop the mids down to 3, and push treble to 8 to mimic the signature V-shaped graphic EQ. The presence control is omitted as this faceplate does not feature one.

PRO TIPAnchor your palm firmly against the bridge saddles for strict, percussive downpicking—Hetfield's attack comes almost entirely from aggressive, precise right-hand downstrokes.

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These settings are for a Kustom sounds Fx 15. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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