HeadRush Pedalboard settings
Holy Wars settings for HeadRush Pedalboard
Megadeth · adapted 4 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Megadeth "Holy Wars" riff tone on a HeadRush Pedalboard, use the 82 LEAD 800 100W amp model on the lead channel, then set Drive 8, Master 7, Bass 5, Mid 4, Treble 7, Presence 6. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 10 and volume on 10.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Fender Starcaster · updated 2026-11-07
- Amp model
- 82 LEAD 800 100W
- Channel
- Lead
- Cab
- 4x12
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 10 · Volume 10
Amp block
- Drive
- 8
- Master
- 7
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 4
- Treble
- 7
- Presence
- 6
- Original drive
- 8
Effects chain
- 1noise gateNoise GateRelease 5 · Threshold 5
- 2overdriveBLACK OP OverdriveGain 3 · Tone 5 · Level 7
- 3distortionDC DISTORT DistortionGain 8 · Tone 6 · Level 7
Playing tips
- Focus on tight palm muting to achieve a percussive attack.
- Use aggressive picking for clarity and articulation in fast riffs.
- Maintain a staccato feel to enhance the tightness of the riff.
The original rig
What Megadeth used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your HeadRush Pedalboard 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 Pedalboard for Holy Wars?
Use the 82 LEAD 800 100W (lead channel) with Drive 8, Master 7, Bass 5, Mid 4, Treble 7, Presence 6, followed by Noise Gate, BLACK OP Overdrive, DC DISTORT Distortion.
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 Fender Starcaster. 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 Pedalboard
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
- Pride and Joy · Stevie Ray Vaughan
- Walk · Pantera
- Mr. Brightside · The Killers
- Highway to Hell · AC/DC
- Alive · Pearl Jam
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.