Holy Wars... The Punishment Due by Megadeth — Amp Settings & Guitar Tone
Reference tone dialed on a Squier Classic Vibe Stratocaster into a Fender Mustang LT25. Settings below are cited from real sources; open the page in a browser for the interactive version, or get this tone dialed for your exact gear.
To recreate the aggressive and tight tone of 'Holy Wars... The Punishment Due', we'll use the Fender Mustang LT25's 'THRASH OVERKILL' preset as a starting point. This preset provides a high-gain foundation suitable for the thrash metal style. The Squier Classic Vibe Stratocaster '60s will be used, compensating for its single-coil pickups by adjusting the amp's EQ to achieve a mid-forward character with prominent bass and treble.
Signal chain settings
Squier Classic Vibe Stratocaster '60s — main rhythm guitar
| Control | Setting | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Pickup Selector | Bridge Pickup | Select the bridge pickup for a brighter, more aggressive tone. |
| Master Volume | 8 | Set to 8 to push the amp harder for more gain. |
| Tone 1 | Leave at default | Not used for the bridge pickup. |
| Tone 2 | 7 | Roll back slightly to tame any harshness from the single-coil. |
Fender Mustang LT25 — main amplifier
| Control | Setting | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Preset | [14] THRASH OVERKILL | Provides a high-gain foundation similar to the Peavey 5150 used by Mustaine. |
| Gain | 8 | Increase to achieve the saturated crunch characteristic of the song. |
| Volume | 5 | Balance overall output without overpowering the mix. |
| Treble | 7 | Boost to enhance the bright attack and clarity. |
| Bass | 6 | Maintain a solid low-end presence for the heavy riffs. |
| Master | 6 | Output level — set to the volume you're playing at; this sets loudness, not tone. |
| Cabinet build | Not used | Not needed for this tone — leave it off. |
| Amp Models | Not used | Not needed for this tone — leave it off. |
| Effects | Not used | Not needed for this tone — leave it off. |
What Megadeth actually used
Recorded at Rumbo Recorders in Canoga Park, California, 'Holy Wars... The Punishment Due' features Dave Mustaine and Marty Friedman on guitars, utilizing Jackson King V guitars through Marshall JCM800 amplifiers, with overdrive from Boss SD-1 pedals. The recording was produced by Dave Mustaine and Mike Clink.
- Jackson King V — main rhythm and lead. Equipped with Seymour Duncan JB and '59 pickups
- Marshall JCM800 — main amplifier. Used with high gain settings
- Boss SD-1 Super Overdrive — overdrive boost. Used to push the amp into further saturation
- Lexicon PCM70 — reverb. Applied during mixing for depth
Tuning: Standard
Sources
- https://www.fender.com/en-US/squier-electric-guitars/stratocaster/classic-vibe-stratocaster-60s/0303010500.html
- https://www.manualslib.com/manual/1547905/Fender-Mustang-Lt25.html
- https://www.fender.com/en-US/guitar-amplifiers/contemporary-digital/mustang-lt25/2311100000.html
- https://www.manualslib.com/manual/3126493/Fender-Mustang-Lt25.html
- https://www.guitarchalk.com/holy-wars-the-punishment-due-amp-settings/
- https://gearspace.com/board/so-much-gear-so-little-time/1041237-megadeth-rust-peace-guitar-tone.html
- https://www.grammy.com/news/megadeths-dave-mustaine-sell-over-100-musical-items-including-holy-wars-guitar