Boss GX-100 settings
Master of Puppets settings for Boss GX-100
Metallica · adapted 27 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Metallica "Master of Puppets" riff tone on a Boss GX-100, use the Recti Stack amp model on the lead channel, then set Drive 8, Master 7, Bass 6, Mid 2, Treble 7, Presence 6. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 10 and volume on 10.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Gibson Les Paul · updated 2026-11-05
- Amp model
- Recti Stack
- Channel
- Lead
- Cab
- 4x12
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 10 · Volume 10
Amp block
- Drive
- 8
- Master
- 7
- Bass
- 6
- Mid
- 2
- Treble
- 7
- Presence
- 6
- Original drive
- 8
Effects chain
- 1noise gateNoise Gate
- 2distortionMT-2Gain 8 · Bass 6 · Mid 2 · Treble 7 · Level 7
- 3overdriveSD-1Gain 5 · Tone 5 · Level 8
- 4reverbSpringMix 2 · Decay 2
Playing tips
- Focus on tight palm muting for chugging riffs.
- Use fast alternate picking to achieve a percussive rhythm.
- Maintain a consistent attack to keep the articulation sharp.
The original rig
What Metallica used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Boss GX-100 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 amp model should I use on the Boss GX-100 for Master of Puppets?
Use the Recti Stack (lead channel) with Drive 8, Master 7, Bass 6, Mid 2, Treble 7, Presence 6, followed by Noise Gate, MT-2, SD-1, Spring.
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 Gibson Les Paul. 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 Boss GX-100
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Walk · Pantera
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Highway to Hell · AC/DC
- Raining Blood · Slayer
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Take Me Out · Franz Ferdinand
- Iron Man · Black Sabbath
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.