Mesa Boogie Mark V settings
Master of Puppets settings for Mesa Boogie Mark V
Metallica · adapted 7 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Metallica "Master of Puppets" riff tone on a Mesa Boogie Mark V, set Gain 9, Bass 6, Mid 3, Treble 7.5, Presence 6.5, Reverb 0.5. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 10 and volume on 10.
Riff settings
Adapted for a ESP LTD Snakebyte James Hetfield Signature Electric Guitar - Snow White · updated 2026-10-26
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 10 · Volume 10
Mesa Boogie Mark V knobs
- Gain
- 9
- Bass
- 6
- Mid
- 3
- Treble
- 7.5
- Presence
- 6.5
- Reverb
- 0.5
- Graphic eq
- 0
- Multi watt
- 1
- Solo level
- 0
- Bias select
- 0
- Output level
- 0
- Contour depth
- 0
- Ch1 normal bold
- 0
- Ch2 normal thick
- 0
- Ch3 normal bright
- 0
- Ch3 pentode triode
- 0
- Rectifier tracking
- 0
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 in the riff.
- Engage your amp's built-in reverb sparingly to add a slight depth without losing the dry attack.
The original rig
What Metallica used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Mesa Boogie Mark V 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 Mesa Boogie Mark V settings for Master of Puppets?
Set Gain 9, Bass 6, Mid 3, Treble 7.5, Presence 6.5, 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 ESP LTD Snakebyte James Hetfield Signature Electric Guitar - Snow White. 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 Mesa Boogie Mark V
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Walk · Pantera
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Stranglehold · Ted Nugent
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Smells Like Teen Spirit · Nirvana
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.