Fractal Audio Axe-Fx III settings
Master of Puppets settings for Fractal Audio Axe-Fx III
Metallica · adapted 9 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Metallica "Master of Puppets" riff tone on a Fractal Audio Axe-Fx III, use the USA IIC+ (Mesa Mark IIC+) amp model on the lead channel, then set Drive 9, Master 7, Bass 6, Mid 3, Treble 7.5, Presence 6.5. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 10 and volume on 10.
Riff settings
updated 2026-09-23
- Amp model
- USA IIC+ (Mesa Mark IIC+)
- Channel
- Lead
- Cab
- Mesa 4x12
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 10 · Volume 10
Amp block
- Drive
- 9
- Master
- 7
- Bass
- 6
- Mid
- 3
- Treble
- 7.5
- Presence
- 6.5
Effects chain
- 1overdriveT808 (TS808)Gain 3 · Tone 5 · Level 7
- 2noise gateNoise Gate
- 3distortionRat Dist (Rat)Volume 7 · Filter 5 · Distortion 5
- 4reverbLondon PlateMix 2 · Decay 2
- 5eqGraphic EQLevel 0 · Band 1 0 · Band 4 0 · Band 5 0
Playing tips
- Focus on tight palm muting for chugging riffs.
- Use fast alternate picking to achieve the aggressive attack.
- Maintain a percussive rhythm to enhance the chunkiness of the tone.
The original rig
What Metallica used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Fractal Audio Axe-Fx III 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 Fractal Audio Axe-Fx III for Master of Puppets?
Use the USA IIC+ (Mesa Mark IIC+) (lead channel) with Drive 9, Master 7, Bass 6, Mid 3, Treble 7.5, Presence 6.5, followed by T808 (TS808), Noise Gate, Rat Dist (Rat), London Plate, Graphic EQ.
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?
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 Fractal Audio Axe-Fx III
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- War Pigs · Black Sabbath
- Raining Blood · Slayer
- Highway to Hell · AC/DC
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.