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Master of Puppets Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Metallica
Metallica · 1980s · metal
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
1984 Gibson Explorer
Pickups
EMG 81 (bridge), EMG 60 (neck) active humbuckers (note: original recording likely used stock Gibson pickups or Seymour Duncan Invader; EMGs were adopted later, but some sources suggest they may have been used during the Puppets sessions)
Amp
Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+
Pickup Position
Neck pickup
Studio recording, 1985-1986. Clean section likely used the neck pickup and clean channel of the Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+. No pedals confirmed for the clean section. Some sources suggest a Roland JC-120 was used for cleans live, but not confirmed for studio. Settings estimated based on typical 1980s metal clean tones and available forum discussions.
Amp Settings
Mids4
Bass5.5
Gain0
Reverb1
Treble7
Presence5.5
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Tone Character
- bright and glassy
- articulate and clear
- slightly compressed
- percussive attack
- warm but not muddy
- dynamic response
- minimal breakup
- studio reverb adds space
- no chorus or modulation
- classic 1980s clean metal
Notes & Caveats
- Gain adjusted to 0 for clean tone
- No official studio documentation or direct interview confirming exact clean section gear/settings for 'Master of Puppets' found in sources.
- Settings estimated based on typical Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ clean tones and 1980s metal studio practices.
- Some sources mention EMG pickups, but original recording may have used stock Gibson or Seymour Duncan pickups; EMGs became standard for Hetfield later.
- No evidence of chorus, delay, or modulation effects in the clean section; only mild studio reverb is audible.
- No pedal use confirmed for the clean section; all effects likely from amp or studio post-processing.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Based on Metallica's 80s era Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ settings, their signature scooped-mid, tight, dry thrash tone, and the production style of 'Master of Puppets,' these settings closely match the aggressive, articulate, and cutting guitar sound on the record.