Riff Tone
My Last Words
Megadeth
Guitarmetal1980s
Original Gear
GuitarJackson King V (1986, custom, likely with Kahler tremolo)
AmpMarshall JCM800 2203 head (studio, 1986)
PickupsSeymour Duncan JB (bridge humbucker, or Jackson J-50BC equivalent)
Amp Settings
gain7.5
bass5
mid3
treble7
reverb0
presence6.5
Effects & Signal Chain
overdriveUnknown Overdrive pedal (likely Ibanez TS9 or Boss SD-1, model not confirmed)
Notes
Studio recording, 1986. Main riff rhythm tone. Mustaine used a Jackson King V with a bridge humbucker into a Marshall JCM800. No evidence of live/touring gear or later signature models used on this recording.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussivescooped midsaggressive palm mutinghigh-gain saturationarticulate high-endpunchy low endbright and aggressivestrong pick attackclear note separationminimal ambience
Difficulty
The riff requires advanced right-hand stamina, precise palm muting, and fast alternate picking at high tempo, making it challenging even for experienced metal guitarists.
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Create Free AccountGuitarmetal1980s
Original Gear
GuitarJackson King V (1986, custom, likely with Kahler tremolo)
AmpMarshall JCM800 2203 head (studio, 1986)
PickupsSeymour Duncan JB (bridge humbucker, or Jackson J-50BC equivalent)
Amp Settings
gain7.5
bass5
mid3
treble7
reverb0
presence6.5
Effects & Signal Chain
overdriveUnknown Overdrive pedal (likely Ibanez TS9 or Boss SD-1, model not confirmed)
Notes
Studio recording, 1986. Main riff rhythm tone. Mustaine used a Jackson King V with a bridge humbucker into a Marshall JCM800. No evidence of live/touring gear or later signature models used on this recording.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussivescooped midsaggressive palm mutinghigh-gain saturationarticulate high-endpunchy low endbright and aggressivestrong pick attackclear note separationminimal ambience
Difficulty
The riff requires advanced right-hand stamina, precise palm muting, and fast alternate picking at high tempo, making it challenging even for experienced metal guitarists.
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