Solo Tone

The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead!

Megadeth

Guitarmetal2010s+

Original Gear

GuitarGibson Dave Mustaine Flying V EXP

AmpNeural DSP Quad Cortex (modeling high-gain amp, likely EVH 5150III or Marshall JCM800 profile)

PickupsSeymour Duncan Thrash Factor (bridge humbucker)

Amp Settings

gain8

bass6

mid4

treble7.5

reverb1

presence6.5

Effects & Signal Chain

overdriveUnknown Overdrive pedal (model unknown, likely for tightening front end)

noise_gateBoss Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor

Notes

Studio recording, 2021-2022. Dave Mustaine used the Quad Cortex for all amp tones on this album, running into Seymour Duncan PowerStage 700 for monitoring. The Flying V EXP with Thrash Factor pickups is confirmed as his main studio guitar for this era. No evidence of analog pedals in the studio chain except for a possible boost/overdrive for tightening, and a noise gate. Effects are likely from the Quad Cortex.

Tone Character(10)

tight and percussiveaggressive and punchyclear note separationhigh-gain saturationarticulate lead tonefocused midscutting trebleminimal ambiencemodern thrash clarityfast attack

Difficulty

The solo features high-speed alternate picking, intricate legato passages, and requires precise palm muting and string skipping, making it highly challenging for most guitarists.

Sources

Capturing Megadeth's - The Sick, The Dying... And the Dead Guitar Tone (EVH 5150iii 50w)Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine is using Neural DSP’s Quad Cortex | Guitar World Dave Mustaine's Guitar Gear, Pedalboard & Amps

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