Tone library / Mettallica / Master of puppets

Master of puppets amp settings — Nux Mighty 40bt

The Mettallica guitar tone for “Master of puppets”, dialed in for a Nux Mighty 40bt with a Jackson JS22 Dinky. Studio version, Master of Puppets album (1986) — main rhythm riff tone

Original rig

Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ preamp slaved into Marshall JCM800 power section, Jackson King V / Gibson Explorer with EMG 81 (bridge), quad-tracked, no pedals — all gain from amp, V-shaped graphic EQ with scooped mids

Tight, percussive thrash rhythm with scooped mids, aggressive palm-mute attack, high-gain saturation with clear note separation

Amp settings — Nux Mighty 40bt

CHANNELLead (6505 or Recto model)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 NUX Mighty 40BT's 6505/Recto-style high-gain models approximate the IIC+ saturation and tight low-end. Mid at 3 recreates the signature Hetfield scoop — this is the defining move. Your Jackson JS22's ceramic humbuckers are hotter and less compressed than EMGs, so gain 8 rather than 9 prevents mud while maintaining the aggressive attack.

PRO TIPPalm mute directly over the bridge saddles with the heel of your picking hand barely touching the strings — too far forward kills the percussive snap that defines this riff's machine-gun attack.

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These settings are for a Nux Mighty 40bt. 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.