Riff Tone

Last Rites / Loved to Deth

Megadeth

Guitarmetal1980s

Original Gear

GuitarBC Rich Bich (early 1980s, likely stock pickups, possibly Dimarzio Super Distortion or stock BC Rich humbuckers)

AmpMarshall JCM800 2203 head with Marshall 4x12 cabinet (Celestion G12-65 or G12T-75 speakers, era-appropriate)

PickupsBridge humbucker (likely Dimarzio Super Distortion or stock BC Rich humbucker)

Amp Settings

gain7.5

bass5.5

mid4

treble7

reverb0

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

boostUnknown Overdrive/Boost pedal (likely Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer or similar, model unknown)

Notes

Studio recording, 1984-1985. Gear based on interviews, era, and genre. No evidence of additional rack gear or multi-effects on this album. Mustaine was using a BC Rich Bich and Marshall JCM800 for 'Killing Is My Business...'.

Tone Character(10)

tight and percussivemid-scooped EQaggressive palm mutinghigh-gain saturationarticulate high-endpunchy low enddry, direct soundupper clarity and biteclassic thrash snarlcrisp articulation

Difficulty

The riff section requires fast, accurate alternate picking and palm muting at high speed, with tight rhythm and complex thrash metal riffing, making it challenging for most players.

Sources

Megadeth (Dave Mustaine) Amp Settings (gear and tone tips) - Guitar Chalk Instagram: Dave Mustaine tone evolution in Megadeth (part 1: the 80s)megadeth tone - forum topic - Ultimate Guitar

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