Solo Tone

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

Megadeth

Guitarmetal1980s

Original Gear

GuitarB.C. Rich Bich

AmpMarshall JCM800 50w (studio recording, 1984-1985)

PickupsB.C. Rich stock humbuckers (mid-1980s, likely DiMarzio or B.C. Rich OEM)

Amp Settings

gain6.5

bass5

mid4.5

treble7.5

reverb0

presence6.5

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 1984-1985. Dave Mustaine stated he used B.C. Rich Bich guitars and Marshall amps for the album. Some sources mention Rocktron preamps, but Marshalls were used for the main guitar tracks. No evidence of live rig or alternate guitars for the solo section.

Tone Character(10)

tight and percussiveaggressive palm mutingrazor-sharp lead linesscooped but present midsarticulate pick attackminimal reverb (dry tone)fast alternate picking clarityslightly raw, unpolished edgemetallic bitefocused, compressed solo sustain

Difficulty

The solo requires fast alternate picking, tight palm muting, and rapid position shifts typical of early thrash metal, making it challenging for most players.

Sources

megadeth settings - forum topic | Ultimate Guitar Dave Mustaine Reflects on Megadeth's 'Killing Is My Business… and Business Is Good!' | Guitar World

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