Fractal Audio FM3 settings
Holy Wars settings for Fractal Audio FM3
Megadeth · adapted 4 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Megadeth "Holy Wars" riff tone on a Fractal Audio FM3, use the Brit 800 (Marshall JCM800) amp model on the lead channel, then set Drive 8, 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
updated 2026-11-07
- 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
- 8
- Master
- 7
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 5
- Treble
- 7
- Presence
- 6
Effects chain
- 1distortionRat DistVolume 7 · Filter 5 · Distortion 7
- 2noise gateNoise GateRelease 3 · Threshold 5
- 3overdriveT808Gain 4 · Tone 5 · Level 7
Playing tips
- Focus on tight palm muting to achieve the percussive attack characteristic of the original tone.
- Use a fast, staccato picking technique to maintain clarity in the riff.
- Ensure a crisp pick attack by using a firm grip on the pick.
The original rig
What Megadeth used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Fractal Audio FM3 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 FM3 for Holy Wars?
Use the Brit 800 (Marshall JCM800) (lead channel) with Drive 8, Master 7, Bass 5, Mid 5, Treble 7, Presence 6, followed by Rat Dist, Noise Gate, T808.
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?
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 FM3
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Walk · Pantera
- Raining Blood · Slayer
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Sultans of Swing · Dire Straits
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Smoke on the Water · Deep Purple
- Crossroads · Cream
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.