Donner Arena 2000 settings
Holy Wars settings for Donner Arena 2000
Megadeth · adapted 10 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Megadeth "Holy Wars" riff tone on a Donner Arena 2000, use the Mar 800 amp model on the lead channel, then set Drive 7, Master 7, Bass 5, Mid 5, Treble 7, Presence 6. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 10 and volume on 10.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Jackson JS32 Kelly · updated 2026-11-13
- Amp model
- Mar 800
- Channel
- Lead
- Cab
- 4x12 closed-back
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 10 · Volume 10
Amp block
- Drive
- 7
- Master
- 7
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 5
- Treble
- 7
- Presence
- 6
Effects chain
- 1distortionRatVolume 7 · Filter 5 · Distortion 7
- 2noise gateIntelligent GateRelease 5 · Threshold 5
- 3otherPure BoostGain 5 · Level 7
Playing tips
- Utilize tight palm muting for a percussive sound.
- Focus on aggressive pick attack to achieve sharp articulation.
- Maintain a fast, staccato style for the riff to capture the original energy.
The original rig
What Megadeth used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Donner Arena 2000 actually has.
- Guitar
- Jackson KV Pro Dave Mustaine Signature (likely with Bill Lawrence L-500XL bridge pickup)
- Amp
- Marshall JCM800 2203 head into DeCuir 4x12 cabinet with Celestion speakers
- Gain
- 7.5
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 5.5
- Treble
- 7
- Presence
- 6.5
- Reverb
- 0
Different guitar or pedals? Get Holy Wars adapted to your exact rig
These settings were generated for the gear named above. ToneAdapt adapts Megadeth's tone to your own guitar, pickups, amp and pedals in seconds.
Frequently asked questions
What amp model should I use on the Donner Arena 2000 for Holy Wars?
Use the Mar 800 (lead channel) with Drive 7, Master 7, Bass 5, Mid 5, Treble 7, Presence 6, followed by Rat, Intelligent Gate, Pure Boost.
Which pickup should I use for Holy Wars?
Bridge pickup, with the guitar's tone at 10 and volume at 10.
What gear did Megadeth use on Holy Wars?
Guitar: Jackson KV Pro Dave Mustaine Signature (likely with Bill Lawrence L-500XL bridge pickup). Amp: Marshall JCM800 2203 head into DeCuir 4x12 cabinet with Celestion speakers.
Will these settings work with my guitar?
These settings were adapted for a Jackson JS32 Kelly. Different pickups change how much gain and treble you need. ToneAdapt adapts the tone to your exact guitar, pickups, amp and pedals.
Holy Wars on other amps
Popular songs on the Donner Arena 2000
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Walk · Pantera
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
- Highway to Hell · AC/DC
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Iron Man · Black Sabbath
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Killing in the Name · Rage Against the Machine
- Mr. Brightside · The Killers
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
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.