Riff Tone

Devil's Island

Megadeth

Guitarmetal1980s

Original Gear

GuitarBC Rich NJ Series Mockingbird (mid-80s, likely stock pickups)

AmpMarshall JCM800 2203 head into Marshall 1960 4x12 cabinet (Celestion G12-65 speakers, studio recording)

PickupsDiMarzio Super Distortion humbucker (bridge position, likely stock for era, high-output ceramic magnet)

Amp Settings

gain8

bass5.5

mid4

treble7

reverb0

presence6.5

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording for 'Peace Sells... but Who's Buying?' (1986). Dave Mustaine used a BC Rich NJ Series Mockingbird with a DiMarzio Super Distortion in the bridge, plugged straight into a cranked Marshall JCM800 2203 head and Marshall 1960 4x12 cab. No pedals or effects were used for the main riff rhythm tone. No evidence of live rig or modern gear for this recording.

Tone Character(10)

tight and percussivescooped midsaggressive palm mutingrazor-sharp attackdry, immediate responsehigh-gain saturationminimal ambiencearticulate and definedclassic 80s thrash crunchfocused low end

Difficulty

The main riff requires fast, precise alternate picking and tight palm muting at a high tempo, demanding strong right-hand control and rhythmic accuracy typical of 80s thrash metal.

Sources

Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine and David Ellefson - Premier Guitar

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