Riff Tone
Post American World
Megadeth
Guitarmetal2010s+
Original Gear
GuitarDean VMNT Dave Mustaine Signature (likely custom shop, used by Mustaine on Dystopia album)
AmpFractal Audio Axe-Fx II XL+ (amp modeling, likely Marshall- or ENGL-based high-gain patch)
PickupsSeymour Duncan Dave Mustaine LiveWire active humbuckers
Amp Settings
gain7.5
bass6
mid4
treble7.5
reverb0.5
presence6.5
Effects & Signal Chain
noise_gateUnknown Noise gate (model unknown, likely Fractal Axe-Fx II internal)
Notes
Studio recording for 'Post American World' (2016, Dystopia album). Dave Mustaine and Kiko Loureiro both used Fractal Axe-Fx II for all guitar tracks, with custom patches emulating high-gain amps. No evidence of traditional tube amps or analog pedals on the studio recording. Rhythm tone is the focus for the riff section.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussivescooped midsaggressive palm mutingmodern high-gain saturationarticulate attackcrisp top endcontrolled low endminimal ambiencedry, focused rhythmfast note definition
Difficulty
The riff requires tight, aggressive palm muting, fast alternate picking, and precise rhythm changes typical of modern Megadeth, making it challenging for most players.
Sources
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Create Free AccountGuitarmetal2010s+
Original Gear
GuitarDean VMNT Dave Mustaine Signature (likely custom shop, used by Mustaine on Dystopia album)
AmpFractal Audio Axe-Fx II XL+ (amp modeling, likely Marshall- or ENGL-based high-gain patch)
PickupsSeymour Duncan Dave Mustaine LiveWire active humbuckers
Amp Settings
gain7.5
bass6
mid4
treble7.5
reverb0.5
presence6.5
Effects & Signal Chain
noise_gateUnknown Noise gate (model unknown, likely Fractal Axe-Fx II internal)
Notes
Studio recording for 'Post American World' (2016, Dystopia album). Dave Mustaine and Kiko Loureiro both used Fractal Axe-Fx II for all guitar tracks, with custom patches emulating high-gain amps. No evidence of traditional tube amps or analog pedals on the studio recording. Rhythm tone is the focus for the riff section.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussivescooped midsaggressive palm mutingmodern high-gain saturationarticulate attackcrisp top endcontrolled low endminimal ambiencedry, focused rhythmfast note definition
Difficulty
The riff requires tight, aggressive palm muting, fast alternate picking, and precise rhythm changes typical of modern Megadeth, making it challenging for most players.
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