Marshall MG50DFX settings
Master of Puppets settings for Marshall MG50DFX
Metallica · adapted 13 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Metallica "Master of Puppets" riff tone on a Marshall MG50DFX, set Gain 8, Bass 5, Mid 3, Treble 7, Reverb 0.5, Fdd 1. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 10 and volume on 10.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Squier Sonic Mustang · updated 2026-11-06
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 10 · Volume 10
Marshall MG50DFX knobs
- Gain
- 8
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 3
- Treble
- 7
- Reverb
- 0.5
- Fdd
- 1
- Contour
- 7
- Clean volume
- 5
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.
- Engage the amp's built-in reverb for a slight ambient effect while keeping it minimal.
The original rig
What Metallica used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Marshall MG50DFX 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 MG50DFX settings for Master of Puppets?
Set Gain 8, Bass 5, Mid 3, Treble 7, Reverb 0.5, Fdd 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 Squier Sonic Mustang. 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 MG50DFX
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Lithium · Nirvana
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Iron Man · Black Sabbath
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Highway to Hell · AC/DC
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Smells Like Teen Spirit · Nirvana
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Raining Blood · Slayer
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.