Ampeg SVT settings
Symphony of Destruction settings for Ampeg SVT
Megadeth · adapted 4 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Megadeth "Symphony of Destruction" distorted tone on a Ampeg SVT, set Gain 5.5, Drive 3, Bass 5.5, Mid 7.5, Treble 6.5, Presence 6. Use the p pickup (split-coil, only pickup position) pickup.
Distorted settings
Adapted for a Fender Precision Bass · updated 2026-08-07
- Pickup
- P pickup (split-coil, only pickup position)
Ampeg SVT knobs
- Gain
- 5.5
- Drive
- 3
- Bass
- 5.5
- Mid
- 7.5
- Treble
- 6.5
- Presence
- 6
- Ultra low
- 0
- Ultra high
- 0
Playing tips
- Use a firm pick attack to emphasize the aggressive tone.
- Experiment with the position of your picking hand to find the sweet spot for clarity and punch.
- Keep your fingers close to the strings to maintain a tight and focused sound.
The original rig
What Megadeth used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Ampeg SVT actually has.
- Bass
- Jackson King V (likely custom shop, 1992 era, with Seymour Duncan JB bridge pickup)
- Amp
- Marshall JMP-1 Tube MIDI Preamp into Marshall 9200 MonoBlock Power Amp (studio recording, 1992)
- Gain
- 7.5
- Bass
- 6.5
- Mid
- 4
- Treble
- 7
- Presence
- 6
- Reverb
- 0
Different bass or pedals? Get Symphony of Destruction adapted to your exact rig
These settings were generated for the gear named above. ToneAdapt adapts Megadeth's tone to your own bass, pickups, amp and pedals in seconds.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best Ampeg SVT settings for Symphony of Destruction?
Set Gain 5.5, Drive 3, Bass 5.5, Mid 7.5, Treble 6.5, Presence 6.
Which pickup should I use for Symphony of Destruction?
P pickup (split-coil, only pickup position).
What gear did Megadeth use on Symphony of Destruction?
Bass: Jackson King V (likely custom shop, 1992 era, with Seymour Duncan JB bridge pickup). Amp: Marshall JMP-1 Tube MIDI Preamp into Marshall 9200 MonoBlock Power Amp (studio recording, 1992).
Will these settings work with my bass?
These settings were adapted for a Fender Precision Bass. Different pickups change how much gain and treble you need. ToneAdapt adapts the tone to your exact bass, pickups, amp and pedals.
Symphony of Destruction on other amps
- Symphony of Destruction on Fender Mustang LT25 · 8
- Symphony of Destruction on Fender Rumble 100 · 6
- Symphony of Destruction on Amp · 6
- Symphony of Destruction on Fender Rumble 25 · 5
- Symphony of Destruction on Fender Rumble 40 · 4
- Symphony of Destruction on Boss Katana 50 Gen 3 · 3
- Symphony of Destruction on Boss Katana · 3
Popular songs on the Ampeg SVT
- For Whom the Bell Tolls · Metallica
- Hysteria · Muse
- Schism · TOOL
- Money · Pink Floyd
- Give it Away · Red Hot Chile Peppers
- Dean Town · Vulfpeck
- Feel Good Inc. (feat. David Jolicoeur, Kelvin Mercer & Vincent Mason) · Gorillaz & De La Soul
- Paranoid · Black Sabbath
- Chop Suey! · System Of A Down
- Come Together · The Beatles
- Orion · Metallica
- Oh, Pretty Woman · Roy Orbison
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.