Marshall DSL5CR settings
Master of Puppets settings for Marshall DSL5CR
Metallica · adapted 14 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Metallica "Master of Puppets" riff tone on a Marshall DSL5CR, set Gain 9, Bass 5, Mid 3, Treble 7, Reverb 0.5, Deep 1. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 10 and volume on 10.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Gibson SG · updated 2026-11-11
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 10 · Volume 10
Marshall DSL5CR knobs
- Gain
- 9
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 3
- Treble
- 7
- Reverb
- 0.5
- Deep
- 1
- Low power
- 0
- Tone shift
- 1
Built-in effects
- Reverb on · 0.5
Playing tips
- Use tight palm muting for chugging riffs to achieve a percussive attack.
- Focus on fast alternate picking to maintain clarity and articulation.
- Utilize the amp's built-in reverb set to a low level to replicate the original's dry tone.
The original rig
What Metallica used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Marshall DSL5CR 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 are the best Marshall DSL5CR settings for Master of Puppets?
Set Gain 9, Bass 5, Mid 3, Treble 7, Reverb 0.5, Deep 1.
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 SG. 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 DSL5CR
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Highway to Hell · AC/DC
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Walk · Pantera
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
- Knockin' On Heaven's Door · Guns N' Roses
- Creep · Radiohead
- Rooster · Alice in Chains
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
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.