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Hughes & Kettner GrandMeister Deluxe 40 settings

Master of Puppets settings for Hughes & Kettner GrandMeister Deluxe 40

Metallica · adapted 5 times on ToneAdapt

To get the Metallica "Master of Puppets" riff tone on a Hughes & Kettner GrandMeister Deluxe 40, select the Ultra preset, then set Gain 9, Bass 6, Mid 3, Treble 7, Presence 6, Reverb 0.5. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 10 and volume on 10.

Riff settings

Adapted for a Gibson Les Paul · updated 2026-10-26

Preset / mode
Ultra
Pickup
Bridge pickup
Guitar knobs
Tone 10 · Volume 10

Hughes & Kettner GrandMeister Deluxe 40 knobs

Gain
9
Bass
6
Mid
3
Treble
7
Presence
6
Reverb
0.5
Boost
0

Built-in effects

  • Reverb on (Spring) · 0.5

Playing tips

  • Use tight palm muting for chugging sections.
  • Focus on fast alternate picking for clarity and articulation.
  • Maintain a steady rhythm to enhance the percussive nature of the riff.

The original rig

What Metallica used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Hughes & Kettner GrandMeister Deluxe 40 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
Full Master of Puppets tone breakdown, effects and sources →

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 preset should I use on the Hughes & Kettner GrandMeister Deluxe 40 for Master of Puppets?

Start from the Ultra preset, then set Gain 9, Bass 6, Mid 3, Treble 7, Presence 6, Reverb 0.5.

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.

Popular songs on the Hughes & Kettner GrandMeister Deluxe 40

All 13 songs for the Hughes & Kettner GrandMeister Deluxe 40 →

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.