GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence
2 Minutes to Midnight (2015 Remaster) Guitar Tone Settings
Iron Maiden · 2010s+ · metal
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Jackson Custom Shop Limited Edition Adrian Smith San Dimas
Pickups
DiMarzio Super Distortion (bridge humbucker), Fender Samarium Cobalt Noiseless (middle and neck single-coils)
Amp
Marshall JMP 1987 Mk II Super Lead 50w
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup (DiMarzio Super Distortion humbucker)
Studio recording for '2 Minutes to Midnight' (2015 Remaster), riff section. Guitar and amp confirmed by Equipboard and artist interviews. Pickup configuration based on Jackson Custom Shop specs for Adrian Smith's model. No evidence of pedals or effects used in the riff section; focus is on amp and guitar.
Amp Settings
Mids7
Bass5.5
Gain7
Reverb1.5
Treble7
Presence6.5
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Tone Character
- tight and percussive
- aggressive palm muting
- crisp high-end bite
- punchy midrange
- articulate note separation
- saturated but controlled gain
- focused low end
- classic British metal crunch
- dynamic pick response
- minimal ambience
Notes & Caveats
- No direct source provides exact amp knob settings for the studio recording; values estimated based on typical Marshall JMP settings for 1980s/2010s metal and Adrian Smith's tone.
- No evidence of pedals or outboard effects used in the riff section; pedalboard references are for live use or other songs.
- Pickup choice inferred from guitar model specs and typical Iron Maiden rhythm tone; not directly confirmed for this exact take.
- Reverb setting is estimated low, as the riff section is dry and tight in the mix.
- No evidence of effects loop or amp-based effects beyond minimal reverb.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Iron Maiden's '2 Minutes to Midnight' features a classic 80s British metal tone: crunchy but not overly saturated, with pronounced mids and tight low end, typical of Marshall amps. The tone is dry and immediate, with minimal reverb, and the presence is set to add clarity without harshness.