Marshall CODE50 settings
Master of Puppets settings for Marshall CODE50
Metallica · adapted 12 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Metallica "Master of Puppets" riff tone on a Marshall CODE50, select the JCM800 preset, then set Gain 9, Volume 7, Master 5, Bass 6, Mid 2, Treble 7. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 10 and volume on 10.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Epiphone Les Paul · updated 2026-10-06
- Preset / mode
- JCM800
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 10 · Volume 10
Marshall CODE50 knobs
- Gain
- 9
- Volume
- 7
- Master
- 5
- Bass
- 6
- Mid
- 2
- Treble
- 7
- Presence
- 6
- Reverb
- 0.5
- Mod fx
- 0
- Pre fx
- 0
- Delay fx
- 0
- Reverb fx
- 1
- Edit button
- 0
- Preset selector
- 4
- Amp model selector
- 0
- Cabinet model selector
- 0
- Power amp model selector
- 0
Built-in effects
- Reverb on (spring) · 2
Playing tips
- Use tight palm muting to achieve the characteristic chugging sound.
- Focus on aggressive alternate picking for clarity and articulation.
- Keep your attack sharp to maintain the percussive rhythm of the riff.
The original rig
What Metallica used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Marshall CODE50 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 preset should I use on the Marshall CODE50 for Master of Puppets?
Start from the JCM800 preset, then set Gain 9, Volume 7, Master 5, Bass 6, Mid 2, Treble 7.
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 Epiphone Les Paul. 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 Marshall CODE50
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Walk · Pantera
- Raining Blood · Slayer
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Even Flow · Pearl Jam
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Man in the Box · Alice in Chains
- Alive · Pearl Jam
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.