HeadRush Prime settings
Master of Puppets settings for HeadRush Prime
Metallica · adapted 14 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Metallica "Master of Puppets" riff tone on a HeadRush Prime, use the 95 JCM2000 LEAD amp model on the lead channel, then set Drive 8, Master 7, Bass 6, Mid 3, Treble 7, Presence 6. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 10 and volume on 10.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Fender Stratocaster · updated 2026-11-02
- Amp model
- 95 JCM2000 LEAD
- Channel
- Lead
- Cab
- 4x12 cabinet
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 10 · Volume 10
Amp block
- Drive
- 8
- Master
- 7
- Bass
- 6
- Mid
- 3
- Treble
- 7
- Presence
- 6
Effects chain
- 1overdriveGreen JRC OverdriveGain 5 · Tone 5 · Level 7
- 2noise gateDefault GateRelease 5 · Threshold 5
- 3reverbBlackpanel Spring ReverbMix 2 · Decay 2
- 4distortionBlackOp DistortionVolume 7 · Tone 5 · Distortion 7
- 5distortionDC DistortionVolume 6 · Tone 5 · Distortion 6
Playing tips
- Focus on tight palm muting to achieve that percussive rhythm.
- Use fast alternate picking for the aggressive attack characteristic of the riff.
- Ensure your picking hand is precise to maintain razor-sharp articulation.
The original rig
What Metallica used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your HeadRush Prime 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 Prime for Master of Puppets?
Use the 95 JCM2000 LEAD (lead channel) with Drive 8, Master 7, Bass 6, Mid 3, Treble 7, Presence 6, followed by Green JRC Overdrive, Default Gate, Blackpanel Spring Reverb, BlackOp Distortion, DC Distortion.
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 Fender Stratocaster. 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 Prime
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Alive · Pearl Jam
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Smoke on the Water · Deep Purple
- What If · Creed
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Comfortably Numb · Pink Floyd
- Creep · Radiohead
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.