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Riff Tone

Kill the King

Megadeth

Guitarmetal2000s

Original Gear

GuitarJackson King V

AmpMarshall JCM800 2203

PickupsSeymour Duncan JB (bridge), Jazz (neck) humbuckers

Amp Settings

gain7.5

bass5.5

mid5

treble7.5

reverb0

presence6.5

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 1999-2000. Gear confirmed for this era and song by multiple sources. Mustaine used Jackson King V with Seymour Duncan JB/Jazz pickups into a Marshall JCM800 for rhythm tracks. No evidence of additional pedals or effects for the riff section; distortion from amp. No chorus, delay, or reverb on rhythm tone.

Tone Character(10)

tight and percussiveaggressive palm mutingarticulate and clearscooped but present midscrisp high enddry with minimal ambiencehigh-gain saturationfast attackclear note separationfocused low end

Difficulty

The riff requires fast, accurate alternate picking with tight palm muting and complex rhythm changes characteristic of thrash metal, demanding advanced right-hand technique and timing.

Sources

Dave Mustaine's Guitar Gear, Pedalboard & Amps - Equipboard MD.45 Members, Gear & Sound | Equipboard megadeth settings - forum topic | Ultimate Guitar Good thrash metal tone? - forum topic | Ultimate Guitar

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Guitarmetal2000s

Original Gear

GuitarJackson King V

AmpMarshall JCM800 2203

PickupsSeymour Duncan JB (bridge), Jazz (neck) humbuckers

Amp Settings

gain7.5

bass5.5

mid5

treble7.5

reverb0

presence6.5

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Sources

Dave Mustaine's Guitar Gear, Pedalboard & Amps - Equipboard MD.45 Members, Gear & Sound | Equipboard megadeth settings - forum topic | Ultimate Guitar Good thrash metal tone? - forum topic | Ultimate Guitar

Notes

Studio recording, 1999-2000. Gear confirmed for this era and song by multiple sources. Mustaine used Jackson King V with Seymour Duncan JB/Jazz pickups into a Marshall JCM800 for rhythm tracks. No evidence of additional pedals or effects for the riff section; distortion from amp. No chorus, delay, or reverb on rhythm tone.

Tone Character(10)

tight and percussiveaggressive palm mutingarticulate and clearscooped but present midscrisp high enddry with minimal ambiencehigh-gain saturationfast attackclear note separationfocused low end

Difficulty

The riff requires fast, accurate alternate picking with tight palm muting and complex rhythm changes characteristic of thrash metal, demanding advanced right-hand technique and timing.

Create Free Account

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Kill the King by Megadeth — Riff Tone Settings | ToneAdapt