Vox Valvetronix VT40X settings
Holy Wars settings for Vox Valvetronix VT40X
Megadeth · adapted 2 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Megadeth "Holy Wars" riff tone on a Vox Valvetronix VT40X, select the Brit 800 preset, then set Gain 7.5, Bass 5, Mid 6.5, Treble 7, Reverb 0, Bias shift 1. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 10 and volume on 10.
Riff settings
updated 2026-10-06
- Preset / mode
- Brit 800
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 10 · Volume 10
Vox Valvetronix VT40X knobs
- Gain
- 7.5
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 6.5
- Treble
- 7
- Reverb
- 0
- Bias shift
- 1
- Power level
- 10
- Class selector
- 1
Playing tips
- Focus on tight palm muting to achieve a percussive sound.
- Use aggressive pick attack for clarity in fast riffs.
- Maintain a staccato feel in your playing to match the original riff's rhythm.
The original rig
What Megadeth used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Vox Valvetronix VT40X 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 preset should I use on the Vox Valvetronix VT40X for Holy Wars?
Start from the Brit 800 preset, then set Gain 7.5, Bass 5, Mid 6.5, Treble 7, Reverb 0, Bias shift 1.
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 Vox Valvetronix VT40X
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Iron Man · Black Sabbath
- Boys Don't Cry (Single Version) · The Cure
- Walk · Pantera
- The Chain · Fleetwood Mac
- Highway to Hell · AC/DC
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Take It Easy · Eagles
- Teenage Dirtbag · Wheatus
- Johnny B. Goode · Chuck Berry
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.