Distorted Tone

Holy Wars...The Punishment Due (2004 Remix)

Megadeth

BassThrash metal1990s (recorded 1989–1990; remix released 2004)

Original Gear

BassJackson four‑string (one red with ebony fingerboard; another possibly silver or originally yellow, later black)

AmpHartke (e.g., Hartke LH1000 head and HyDrive HX810 cabinet), previously Peavey MAX 700

PickupsEMG pickups (on Jackson signature models)

Amp Settings

gain7.5

bass5

mid6.5

treble7.5

presence7

compression6

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Ellefson recorded Rust in Peace (including Holy Wars) with two four‑string Jackson basses; uses Hartke heads and cabs; earlier used Peavey MAX 700 head

Tone Character(4)

bright snap from ebony fingerboardtight low‑mid (P pickup reversed)punchy, defined mid‑rangeclear articulation in fast thrash lines

Difficulty

The bass part requires fast, precise picking or fingerstyle in a thrash metal context, demanding tight timing and articulation.

Sources

Scorpion Q+A 136 – Megadeth David Ellefson of Megadeth – interview David Ellefson gear – Equipboard Ellefson Hartke gear – Guitar World Megadeth Amp Settings – Dave Mustaine Gear & Tone Guide

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