Fractal Audio Axe-Fx III settings
Holy Wars settings for Fractal Audio Axe-Fx III
Megadeth · adapted 6 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Megadeth "Holy Wars" riff tone on a Fractal Audio Axe-Fx III, use the Brit 800 (Marshall JCM800) 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 Schecter Syn Custom-S · updated 2026-11-11
- Amp model
- Brit 800 (Marshall JCM800)
- Channel
- Lead
- Cab
- 4x12 cabinet with Celestion speakers
- 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
- 1distortionRat Dist (Rat)Volume 7 · Filter 5 · Distortion 7
- 2noise gateNoise Gate
- 3overdriveT808 (TS808)Gain 3 · Tone 5 · Level 7
Playing tips
- Focus on tight palm muting for a percussive attack.
- Use aggressive pick attack to enhance articulation.
- Maintain a fast, staccato riffing style to match the original tone.
The original rig
What Megadeth used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Fractal Audio Axe-Fx III 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 Fractal Audio Axe-Fx III for Holy Wars?
Use the Brit 800 (Marshall JCM800) (lead channel) with Drive 7, Master 7, Bass 5, Mid 5, Treble 7, Presence 6, followed by Rat Dist (Rat), Noise Gate, T808 (TS808).
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 Schecter Syn Custom-S. 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 Fractal Audio Axe-Fx III
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- War Pigs · Black Sabbath
- Raining Blood · Slayer
- Highway to Hell · AC/DC
- One · Metallica
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.