Riff Tone

Set the World Afire

Megadeth

Guitarmetal1980s

Original Gear

GuitarJackson King V (likely custom, early USA model, as used by Dave Mustaine on 'So Far, So Good... So What!' 1988 recording)

AmpMarshall JCM800 2203 head into Marshall 1960 4x12 cabinet (likely with Celestion G12T-75 or Vintage 30 speakers)

PickupsSeymour Duncan JB (SH-4) humbucker in bridge position

Amp Settings

gain8

bass5

mid3

treble7

reverb0

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

overdriveUnknown Overdrive pedal (likely Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer or similar, model not confirmed for studio recording)

Notes

Studio recording, 1987-1988. Gear confirmed for this album era; Mustaine used Jackson King V with Seymour Duncan JB bridge pickup and Marshall JCM800 for main rhythm tracks. No evidence of other guitars or amps for the main riff section. Settings and pedal use are based on studio context, not live.

Tone Character(10)

tight and percussivescooped midsaggressive palm mutinghigh-gain saturationarticulate high-endpunchy low endbright and aggressivedry, focused attackminimal ambiencefast note definition

Difficulty

The riff requires fast, precise alternate picking and tight palm muting at high speed, with complex rhythm patterns typical of 1980s thrash metal, making it challenging for most players.

Sources

Megadeth (Dave Mustaine) Amp Settings (gear and tone tips) - Guitar Chalk Megadeth's Mustaine & Broderick Rig Rundown - Premier Guitar

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