HeadRush MX5 settings
Master of Puppets settings for HeadRush MX5
Metallica · adapted 15 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Metallica "Master of Puppets" riff tone on a HeadRush MX5, use the 82 Lead 800 amp model on the lead channel, then set Gain 7, Bass 5, Mid 5, Treble 5. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 10 and volume on 10.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Schecter Demon-6 · updated 2026-11-05
- Amp model
- 82 Lead 800
- Channel
- Lead
- Cab
- 4x12
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 10 · Volume 10
HeadRush MX5 knobs
- Gain
- 7
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 5
- Treble
- 5
Amp block
- Drive
- 8
- Master
- 7
- Bass
- 6
- Mid
- 2
- Treble
- 7
- Presence
- 6
Effects chain
- 1overdriveWhite BoostGain 5 · Bass 5 · Treble 5 · Level 8
- 2distortionBlackOp DistGain 8 · Tone 6 · Level 7
- 3noise gateNoise GateRelease 3 · Threshold 5
- 4reverbSpringMix 2 · Decay 2
- 5eqParametric EQLow 0 · High 5 · Level 0
Playing tips
- Focus on tight palm muting for chugging rhythms.
- Use fast alternate picking to maintain clarity in the riff.
- Ensure your attack is aggressive to achieve the razor-sharp articulation.
The original rig
What Metallica used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your HeadRush MX5 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 MX5 for Master of Puppets?
Use the 82 Lead 800 (lead channel) with Drive 8, Master 7, Bass 6, Mid 2, Treble 7, Presence 6, followed by White Boost, BlackOp Dist, Noise Gate, Spring, Parametric 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?
These settings were adapted for a Schecter Demon-6. 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 MX5
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Walk · Pantera
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Raining Blood · Slayer
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Pride and Joy · Stevie Ray Vaughan
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Do I Wanna Know? · Arctic Monkeys
- Highway to Hell · AC/DC
- Killing in the Name · Rage Against the Machine
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.