Blackstar HT-5 settings
Master of Puppets settings for Blackstar HT-5
Metallica · adapted 6 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Metallica "Master of Puppets" riff tone on a Blackstar HT-5, set Gain 8, Bass 5, Mid 3, Treble 7, Isf 5, Clean tone 0. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 10 and volume on 10.
Riff settings
Adapted for a ESP LTD EC-256 · updated 2026-11-01
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 10 · Volume 10
Blackstar HT-5 knobs
- Gain
- 8
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 3
- Treble
- 7
- Isf
- 5
- Clean tone
- 0
- Clean volume
- 0
- Overdrive bass
- 5
- Overdrive gain
- 8
- Overdrive middle
- 3
- Overdrive select
- 1
- Overdrive treble
- 7
- Overdrive volume
- 7
- Effects level switch
- 0
Built-in effects
- Reverb off
Playing tips
- Focus on tight palm muting for chugging riffs.
- Use fast alternate picking to maintain articulation.
- Keep your picking hand close to the bridge for a sharper attack.
The original rig
What Metallica used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Blackstar HT-5 actually has.
- Guitar
- ESP MX220 (custom, aka 'Eet Fuk')
- Amp
- Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (preamp) into Marshall JCM800 (power amp section), Mesa 4x12 cabinet
- Gain
- 9
- Bass
- 6
- Mid
- 3
- Treble
- 7.5
- Presence
- 6.5
- Reverb
- 1
Different guitar or pedals? Get Master of Puppets adapted to your exact rig
These settings were generated for the gear named above. ToneAdapt adapts Metallica's tone to your own guitar, pickups, amp and pedals in seconds.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best Blackstar HT-5 settings for Master of Puppets?
Set Gain 8, Bass 5, Mid 3, Treble 7, Isf 5, Clean tone 0.
Which pickup should I use for Master of Puppets?
Bridge pickup, with the guitar's tone at 10 and volume at 10.
What gear did Metallica use on Master of Puppets?
Guitar: ESP MX220 (custom, aka 'Eet Fuk'). Amp: Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (preamp) into Marshall JCM800 (power amp section), Mesa 4x12 cabinet.
Will these settings work with my guitar?
These settings were adapted for a ESP LTD EC-256. Different pickups change how much gain and treble you need. ToneAdapt adapts the tone to your exact guitar, pickups, amp and pedals.
Master of Puppets on other amps
- Master of Puppets on Fender Mustang LT25 · 1,425
- Master of Puppets on Boss Katana · 926
- Master of Puppets on Fender Frontman 10G · 434
- Master of Puppets on Line 6 Helix Floor / LT / Rack · 280
- Master of Puppets on Fender Champion 20 · 218
- Master of Puppets on Fender Frontman 15G · 207
- Master of Puppets on Neural DSP Quad Cortex · 193
- Master of Puppets on Boss Katana 50 Gen 3 · 182
Popular songs on the Blackstar HT-5
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Highway to Hell · AC/DC
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Layla · Derek and the Dominos
- War Pigs · Black Sabbath
- Walk · Pantera
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Alive · Pearl Jam
- Plug In Baby · Muse
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
Settings are generated by ToneAdapt's tone adaptation for the gear named on this page and are a starting point — every amp, guitar and room is a little different.