HeadRush MX5 settings
Holy Wars settings for HeadRush MX5
Megadeth · adapted 8 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Megadeth "Holy Wars" riff tone on a HeadRush MX5, use the 82 Lead 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
updated 2026-10-23
- Amp model
- 82 Lead 800
- Channel
- Lead
- Cab
- 4x12 cabinet
- 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
- 1overdriveGreen JRC-ODGain 5 · Tone 5 · Level 7
- 2noise gateNoise GateRelease 5 · Threshold 5
- 3distortionBlackOp DistGain 6 · 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 playing style for the riff.
The original rig
What Megadeth used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your HeadRush MX5 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 HeadRush MX5 for Holy Wars?
Use the 82 Lead 800 (lead channel) with Drive 7, Master 7, Bass 5, Mid 5, Treble 7, Presence 6, followed by Green JRC-OD, Noise Gate, BlackOp Dist.
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 HeadRush MX5
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Walk · Pantera
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Raining Blood · Slayer
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Pride and Joy · Stevie Ray Vaughan
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Do I Wanna Know? · Arctic Monkeys
- Highway to Hell · AC/DC
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.