David Ellefson Plays His Top Five Megadeth Bass Lines

Features
By published

Awhile back, Megadeth bassist David Ellefson stopped by the Guitar World studio in New York City to discuss—and play—his five favorite Megadeth bass riffs.

It's safe to say some of his choices will surprise you. Check it out above!

Megadeth are currently celebrating their 35th anniversary, and recently released the music video for "Lying in State," from their 2016 album, Dystopia.

You can follow the band on Facebook for more updates on their 35th anniversary activity.

Damian Fanelli
Damian Fanelli
Editor-in-Chief, Guitar World

Damian is Editor-in-Chief of Guitar World magazine. In past lives, he was GW’s managing editor and online managing editor. He's written liner notes for major-label releases, including Stevie Ray Vaughan's 'The Complete Epic Recordings Collection' (Sony Legacy) and has interviewed everyone from Yngwie Malmsteen to Kevin Bacon (with a few memorable Eric Clapton chats thrown into the mix). Damian, a former member of Brooklyn's The Gas House Gorillas, was the sole guitarist in Mister Neutron, a trio that toured the U.S. and released three albums. He now plays in two NYC-area bands.

More about bassists
Jazz bassist Anthony Jackson plays a six-string bass at North Sea Jazz festival, The Hague, Netherlands, 10th July 1998.

“The six-string bass guitar was a dream – if Leo Fender could come back today I think he would approve”: 10 6-string bassists you need to know
LaMarquis Jefferson with his Sadowsky Bass Guitar

“It’s great to tap like Les Claypool and thump like Marcus Miller, but the world of a studio bassist is different”: Having graced hits by OutKast, TLC, and Usher, LaMarquis Jefferson carved a niche in a scene long dominated by synthetic low-end
Kurt Cobain MTV Unplugged

“A stand-out performance by a group that changed the course of rock history in the 1990s”: The world’s most expensive guitar, Kurt Cobain’s MTV Unplugged Martin acoustic, is set to go on display in the UK
See more latest
Most Popular
Scott Ian
“I could try and recreate his vibrato for the rest of my life. It’s never going to happen. If I got to play his guitar through his rig, it’s not gonna sound like him”: Tony Iommi changed his life – now Scott Ian is playing Sabbath’s last stand
Jazz bassist Anthony Jackson plays a six-string bass at North Sea Jazz festival, The Hague, Netherlands, 10th July 1998.
“The six-string bass guitar was a dream – if Leo Fender could come back today I think he would approve”: 10 6-string bassists you need to know
LaMarquis Jefferson with his Sadowsky Bass Guitar
“It’s great to tap like Les Claypool and thump like Marcus Miller, but the world of a studio bassist is different”: Having graced hits by OutKast, TLC, and Usher, LaMarquis Jefferson carved a niche in a scene long dominated by synthetic low-end
Rotosound Swing Bass 66 strings
“A distinctive brightness that no other strings have been able to capture”: How Rotosound revolutionized the bass world with its Swing Bass 66 strings – and shaped the sound of rock music in the process
Nathan East pointing to his signature Digbeth DB-EAST head and smiling
“It’s always in the back of your mind saying, what can we improve on? What would I do? What would I dream of in an amp?” How Clapton collaborator and session great Nathan East is teaming up with Laney on a signature amp unlike any other
Vicki Peterson
“Walk Like an Egyptian was so silly. But solid players have asked, ‘What are you playing at the end?’” Vicki Peterson sees herself as “a bit of a hack player,” but she still made guitar-pop history with the Bangles – and guested with Tom Petty
Eric Clapton performs onstage in London in 1989
“The concept of the guitar duel at the end was just appalling”: Crossroads is an essential piece of '80s guitar lore, but not every guitar legend was a fan of the film
Billy Rankin
“Zal is really nobody’s guitar hero. Fans say he’s the most underrated player ever; many guitarists rate him amongst the best... but I’ve never heard anyone call him their ‘guitar hero’”: Billy Rankin on lessons learned from the legendary Zal Cleminson
Yoyoyoshie of Otoboke Beaver performs on the Park Stage during day four of Glastonbury Festival 2024.
“I’m extremely honored. It reminded me that it’s important to stick to my own playing style”: Her fans include Dave Grohl, Jack White and Eddie Vedder, and she’s the face of Fender’s Hello Kitty campaign. Why Yoyoyoshie is Japan’s next great guitar hero
Joe Satriani wears futuristic wraparound shades and a leather jacket as he plays a solo on his Chrome Boy Ibanez signature guitar. His new 3rd Power Dragon amps are in the background.
“The three of us plugged into my Marshall, passing the cord around. The one thing Eric said to me was, ‘Wow, there is so much gain!’” Joe Satriani on reuniting with Eric Johnson and Steve Vai and the devil in the detail of Eddie Van Halen's playing