How to Get Dave Mustaine’s Guitar Tones Using Neural Amp Modeler
Capture the Megadeth sound with these thrash-worthy NAM captures of Dave Mustaine's gear
Formed by singer/guitarist/difficult-bandmate Dave Mustaine in 1983, Megadeth pioneered a punishing brand of thrash that made other metal bands sound about as hard as Hall and Oates. He started the band after getting kicked out of Metallica for his aggressive, drunken behavior (which is kind of like getting kicked out of the NFL for kicking). Instead of holding a petty, bitter grudge and silently seething in his room, he did it publicly.
Armed with an album’s worth of brutal licks he had written for Metallica’s “Kill ‘Em All,” Mustaine came out swinging with Megadeth’s debut “Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good!” He wasn’t shy about badmouthing his former bandmates in Metallica, but he definitely wasn’t just talk, either. Many of the songs on “Killing Is My Business…” are what helped Metallica get signed in the first place, and here they were in all their brutal glory.
Still brutal after all these years: Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good!
After 40+ years of making records, Megadeth still sounds harder, meaner, and more threatening than almost anything ever recorded. That’s because Dave Mustaine is a beast of a guitar player and one of the greatest musicians ever to play heavy metal. Let’s check out some of the gear he’s used over the years and how you can capture his tone using Neural Amp Modeler. Just try not to get kicked out of your band.
Full Rig: Marshall JVM 410, Dave Mustaine 4x12 Cab, Boss SD-1
If you’re looking for the plug-and-play NAM rig to easily recreate Dave Mustaine’s tone, this is it. This full NAM rig captures the modern Megadeth sound with tight low end, aggressive mids, and the clarity needed for fast, articulate thrash riffs. The Boss SD-1 pushes the JVM’s front end just enough to add bite and sustain without sacrificing definition during high-gain rhythm and lead playing.
Download Neural Amp Model ➝ Marshall JVM 410, Dave Mustaine 4x12 Cab, Boss SD-1
Marshall 4x12 V30
Loaded with Celestion Vintage 30 speakers, the impulse response of this cabinet delivers the focused midrange punch and controlled low end that define Dave Mustaine’s cutting rhythm tone. It helps riffs stay aggressive and present in a dense mix while keeping palm-muted passages tight and percussive.
Download Impulse Response ➝ Marshall 4x12 V30
Marshall JCM800 2203
The JCM800 2203 represents the raw, classic foundation of Mustaine’s early thrash metal tone. Its aggressive upper mids and natural amp distortion provide the snarling attack and responsiveness that’s most easily recognized as the Dave Mustaine sound.
Download Neural Amp Model ➝ Marshall JCM800 2203
Marshall Dave Mustaine 1960A Celestion G12 V30 4x12 IR
This impulse response recreates the punchy, road-tested sound of Mustaine’s signature 1960A cabinet with Vintage 30 speakers. It emphasizes clarity and midrange cut, making it ideal for tight rhythm tracking and precise lead articulation in high-gain setups.
Download Impulse Response ➝ Marshall Dave Mustaine 1960A Celestion G12 V30 4x12
Dave Mustaine talks about his lifelong love affair with Marshall
When the Dark Lord rises from the pits of Hell and drives his flaming rod into the putrid heart of this wretched world, odds are that’s a Megadeth track you’ll be hearing on his boombox. Why? Because Megadeth is just that fucking metal.
