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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)
Amp Settings
gain8
bass5
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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.
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Create Free AccountGuitarmetal1980s
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)
Amp Settings
gain8
bass5
Create an account to see all tone details
Create Free AccountEffects & Signal Chain
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.