GuitarDistortedSolo80% confidence
Dance of Death Solo Guitar Tone Settings — Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden · 2000s · metal
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Jackson Adrian Smith Signature San Dimas DK
Pickups
Jackson HSS (bridge humbucker, likely Seymour Duncan JB or similar, as per Adrian Smith's signature models of the era)
Amp
Marshall JMP 2204 Mk II Master Lead 50w
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 2003. Adrian Smith played the first solo on 'Dance of Death' using his Jackson San Dimas DK with a bridge humbucker into a Marshall JMP 2204 Mk II. No explicit evidence of additional pedals for gain; distortion is primarily from the amp. No evidence of live rig or alternate guitars for this solo section.
Amp Settings
Mids6.5
Bass6
Gain7.5
Reverb1.5
Treble7
Presence6.5
Effects Chain
- Delay pedal (model unknown) · delay
Jackson Adrian Smith Signature San Dimas DK → Delay pedal (model unknown) → Marshall JMP 2204 Mk II (with spring reverb, low level)
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Tone Character
- singing sustain
- tight and articulate lead lines
- harmonic richness
- crunchy, overdriven sound
- sharp attack
- melodic phrasing
- high-output bridge pickup clarity
- dynamic and expressive
- slightly scooped but present mids
- controlled feedback
Notes & Caveats
- No explicit studio pedalboard or effect settings for this solo found in sources; amp and guitar are confirmed for Adrian Smith's solos on this album.
- Amp settings are estimated based on typical Marshall JMP 2204 usage for Iron Maiden's studio tones in the early 2000s.
- No direct evidence of pedals used for gain or boost in this solo; all distortion is inferred to be amp-based.
- Delay is clearly audible in the solo section, but no specific pedal model is cited in sources; included as 'Delay pedal (model unknown)'.
- Reverb is subtle and likely from the amp or studio, set low.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Iron Maiden's 'Dance of Death' solo section features a classic British high-gain lead tone: tight low end, forward mids, and bright but not harsh highs, typical of Adrian Smith and Dave Murray's Marshall-based setups in the early 2000s. The reverb is minimal, as is standard for Maiden's modern, articulate lead tones.