Holy Wars...The Punishment Due (2004 Remix) amp settings — Blackstar ID:Core 20 V3
The Megadeth guitar tone for “Holy Wars...The Punishment Due (2004 Remix)”, dialed in for a Blackstar ID:Core 20 V3 with a Ibanez RG550. 2004 Remix (Rust in Peace remaster) — core guitar tracks from 1990 sessions, remixed with tighter low-end
Jackson King V (Seymour Duncan JB bridge) → Ibanez TS-9 Tube Screamer → Marshall JCM800 2203
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 7 |
| Bass | 6 |
| Mid | 4 |
| Treble | 7 |
| Reverb | 0 |
| Master | 5 |
01Tube Screamer (TS-9 or clone)
RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. Used as a clean boost to tighten low-end and add midrange focus. Without this, the tone will be looser and less defined on palm mutes.
The ID:Core's ISF control is critical here — set it to 2 o'clock (British/Marshall side) to match the JCM800's midrange bark. I dropped gain from the original's 8-9 to 7 because your RG550's hotter pickups push the preamp harder than Mustaine's passive JB. Mid at 4 recreates the slight scoop without losing note definition.
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These settings are for a Blackstar ID:Core 20 V3. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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