Vox VT20+ settings
Holy Wars settings for Vox VT20+
Megadeth · adapted 3 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Megadeth "Holy Wars" riff tone on a Vox VT20+, select the UK Rock Custom preset, then set Gain 7.5, Bass 5, Mid 6.5, Treble 7, Reverb 0, Tap tempo 0. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 10 and volume on 10.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Ibanez GIO GRX20 · updated 2026-11-05
- Preset / mode
- UK Rock Custom
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 10 · Volume 10
Vox VT20+ knobs
- Gain
- 7.5
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 6.5
- Treble
- 7
- Reverb
- 0
- Tap tempo
- 0
- Power level
- 8
- Noise reduction
- 4
Playing tips
- Focus on tight palm muting for a percussive attack.
- Use aggressive picking to enhance articulation.
- Maintain a steady rhythm for staccato riffing.
The original rig
What Megadeth used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Vox VT20+ 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 VT20+ for Holy Wars?
Start from the UK Rock Custom preset, then set Gain 7.5, Bass 5, Mid 6.5, Treble 7, Reverb 0, Tap tempo 0.
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 Ibanez GIO GRX20. 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 VT20+
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Walk · Pantera
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Smells Like Teen Spirit · Nirvana
- Sultans of Swing · Dire Straits
- Layla · Derek & The Dominos
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Floods · Pantera
- Back in Black · 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.