Tone library / Megadeth / Symphony of destruction

Symphony of destruction amp settings — NUX Mighty-20 mkII

The Megadeth guitar tone for “Symphony of destruction”, dialed in for a NUX Mighty-20 mkII with a Fender Player Stratocaster. Studio version, Countdown to Extinction (1992) — original mix, not 2004/2012 Mustaine remasters

Original rig

Jackson King V/Soloist with Seymour Duncan passive humbuckers → Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer → Marshall JCM800 2203 → Marshall 1960 4x12 cab

Aggressive, tight, mid-heavy thrash crunch with pronounced attack, palm-mute clarity, and controlled low end — not scooped like other thrash bands

Amp settings — NUX Mighty-20 mkII

CHANNELLead channel (high-gain Marshall-style voicing)BRIGHToff

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	7
Bass	4
Mid	6
Treble	6
Presence	6
Reverb	0
Master	7

Don’t have a NUX Mighty-20 mkII? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01NUX Mighty-20 Built-in Overdrive (TS-style)

Use the amp's built-in OD/boost function to simulate the TS9 front-end push — this is critical for the tight, focused attack. If your Mighty-20 mkII has a drive effect in the app, enable it BEFORE the amp sim

Drive 3 · Tone 6 · Level 6

Why these settings

Your Strat's single-coil bridge pickup is thinner and brighter than Mustaine's hot passive humbuckers. I dropped treble from the original's 7 to 6 and pushed mids from 5 to 6 to compensate for the scooped Strat voice. Bass dropped from 5 to 4 because single coils can get woofy with too much low end on high gain. The TS-style boost is non-negotiable for this tone — it tightens the low end and adds the midrange push that defines the Countdown-era Megadeth sound.

PRO TIPTune to E♭ Standard (half-step down) to match the original recording. Palm mute RIGHT at the bridge saddles — Mustaine's attack is extremely precise and close to the bridge, which is how he gets that chunky, defined chug without mud. If your Strat feels too ice-picky, roll the tone knob to 8.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a NUX Mighty-20 mkII. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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Song, artist and gear names are used to identify the tone being matched; ToneAdapt is not affiliated with or endorsed by the artists or manufacturers mentioned. Settings are AI-generated starting points — trust your ears.