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Fear of the Dark — Iron Maiden1 / 2
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Fear of the Dark Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Iron Maiden

Iron Maiden · 1990s · metal

studio

Original Recording

Guitar
Fender Stratocaster (likely 1970s/1980s, as used by Dave Murray and Janick Gers on the 'Fear of the Dark' album)
Pickups
DiMarzio Super Distortion (bridge, Dave Murray signature Strat) or Seymour Duncan Hot Rails (bridge, Janick Gers Strat); single coil in neck/middle
Amp
Marshall JCM 900 (studio recording, 1992 era)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup

Studio recording, 1992. Both Dave Murray and Janick Gers played Stratocasters with high-output humbucker pickups in the bridge. Amps were Marshall JCM 900s, a staple of Maiden's early 1990s sound. No evidence of pedals for the riff section; Iron Maiden are known for plugging straight into the amp for rhythm/riff parts. Effects are minimal or absent in the riff section.

Amp Settings

Mids
6.5
Bass
5.5
Gain
6.5
Reverb
1.5
Treble
6.5
Presence
6

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Tone Character

  • tight and percussive
  • aggressive palm muting
  • articulate note separation
  • crisp high-end bite
  • focused midrange punch
  • metallic and cutting
  • dynamic response
  • high-gain saturation
  • minimal ambience
  • classic Marshall crunch

Notes & Caveats

  • ⚠️No direct source provides exact amp knob settings for 'Fear of the Dark' riff section; settings estimated based on typical Iron Maiden JCM 900 usage in early 1990s metal.
  • ⚠️No evidence of pedals or effects used for the riff section; Iron Maiden typically use a straight guitar-to-amp setup for rhythm/riff parts.
  • ⚠️Pickup and amp models inferred from interviews and known studio/live gear for this album era.
  • ⚠️If more precise studio documentation emerges, settings may need revision.
  • ⚠️Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Iron Maiden's 'Fear of the Dark' riff uses a classic British crunch with moderate gain, tight low end, forward mids, and balanced treble/presence for clarity. Adrian Smith and Dave Murray favored Marshall amps with mids pushed and minimal reverb in the early '90s, matching the genre and era's production style.

Sources