Thrash Metal1985Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good!

Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good! Amp Settings

by Megadeth

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Original Recording Settings

partially-sourcedResearched tone data for "Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good!" by Megadeth

Original Gear

Guitar: B.C. Rich Bich (Perfect 10 model)
Pickups: Most likely DiMarzio Super Distortion (bridge); possibly Bill Lawrence L500 (neck). Sources conflict. (bridge)
Amplifier: Marshall JCM800 2203 100W
Channel: Single-channel (master volume)
Tuning: standard
Pickup Selector: bridge
Strings: Not documented

Dimed — all knobs maxed. The 25 dB onboard boost from the Bich drove the already-maxed Marshall into extreme saturation. Chris Poland eyewitness (Guitar World, 2025): 'Dave just took a Marshall and dimed it! He had a B.C. Rich Bich that had a 25dB boost. He'd just crank that up and punish that Marshall.'

Amp Settings

Gain

10.0

Bass

10.0

Mid

10.0

Treble

10.0

Presence

10.0

Master Volume

10.0

Volume

10.0

Chris Poland's direct quote says Mustaine 'dimed' the Marshall, implying all knobs at max. Individual EQ positions were never photographed or specified. The 25 dB guitar preamp added further gain on top.

Effects Chain

No effects - straight into the amp

Playing Technique

Aggressive downpicking and pull-offs. Songs pushed 20-40 BPM faster than original tempos. Mustaine required Chris Poland to match his pull-off technique exactly during rhythm tracking to simulate double-tracking.

Sources+