HeadRush Core settings
Master of Puppets settings for HeadRush Core
Metallica · adapted 9 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Metallica "Master of Puppets" riff tone on a HeadRush Core, use the 83 400R (Mesa Boogie Mark IIC+ Lead) 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
Adapted for a Ibanez RG550 · updated 2026-09-05
- Amp model
- 83 400R (Mesa Boogie Mark IIC+ Lead)
- Channel
- Lead
- Cab
- Mesa 4x12 cabinet
- 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
- 1noise gateNOISE GATE (ISP Technologies Decimator)Release 5 · Threshold 5
- 2overdriveGREEN JRC OD (Ibanez TS808)Gain 3 · Tone 5 · Level 7
- 3distortionBLACK OP DISTORTION (80s-era op-amp-based distortion pedal)Gain 8 · Tone 6 · Level 7
- 4reverbSPRING REVERB (Fender Spring Reverb)Mix 2 · Decay 2
Playing tips
- Focus on tight palm muting for chugging riffs.
- Use fast alternate picking to maintain aggression.
- Keep your attack sharp to achieve the percussive rhythm characteristic.
The original rig
What Metallica used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your HeadRush Core 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 HeadRush Core for Master of Puppets?
Use the 83 400R (Mesa Boogie Mark IIC+ Lead) (lead channel) with Drive 9, Master 7, Bass 6, Mid 3, Treble 7.5, Presence 6.5, followed by NOISE GATE (ISP Technologies Decimator), GREEN JRC OD (Ibanez TS808), BLACK OP DISTORTION (80s-era op-amp-based distortion pedal), SPRING REVERB (Fender Spring Reverb).
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 Ibanez RG550. 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 HeadRush Core
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Walk · Pantera
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Pride and Joy · Stevie Ray Vaughan
- Mr. Brightside · The Killers
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Smells Like Teen Spirit · Nirvana
- Creep · Radiohead
- Alive · Pearl Jam
- Plug In Baby · Muse
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.