Clean Tone

Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good!

Megadeth

Bassmetal1980s

Original Gear

BassB.C. Rich Mockingbird (early 1980s, passive electronics)

AmpRoland Cube Bass amp (early 1980s model, solid-state combo)

PickupsDual humbuckers (passive, standard Mockingbird configuration)

Amp Settings

gain0

bass4.5

mid6.5

treble6.5

presence5

compression4.5

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio, 1984-1985, original album recording; Ellefson brought his B.C. Rich Mockingbird and Roland Cube Bass amp from Minnesota for tracking. No evidence of Ampeg, GK, or other pro amps at this budget/era.

Tone Character(9)

mid-scoopedslightly bright top enddry and unprocessedthin and buried in mixtight low endlittle sustainno audible drivepercussive attackneutral presence

Difficulty

While the part is fast and requires tight pick technique, the lines are mostly root notes and simple patterns, with little technical complexity beyond speed and stamina.

Sources

Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine and David Ellefson - Premier Guitar megadeth settings Megadeth’s Killing Is My Business… and Business Is Good! | The Underdog That Ruled Them All

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