GuitarDistortedRiff
Flash of the Blade (2015 Remaster) Guitar Tone Settings
Iron Maiden · 1980s · metal
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Fender Stratocaster (likely 1970s or early 1980s, as used by both Adrian Smith and Dave Murray on 'Somewhere in Time')
Pickups
DiMarzio Super Distortion (bridge, Dave Murray); stock Fender single coils or DiMarzio HS-3 (Adrian Smith); likely bridge humbucker for main riff
Amp
Gallien-Krueger 250ML
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1986 (2015 Remaster is a remaster of the 1986 recording). Both Adrian Smith and Dave Murray used Gallien-Krueger 250ML amps for the album. Guitar likely a Stratocaster with a humbucker in the bridge for the main riff. No evidence of pedals or effects used for the riff section; tone is dry and direct. Settings estimated based on amp, genre, and era.
Amp Settings
Mids6.5
Bass5.5
Gain7
Reverb1.5
Treble7
Presence6
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Tone Character
- tight and percussive
- articulate and cutting
- high-gain solid-state saturation
- focused low end
- bright, harmonically rich top end
- minimal ambience
- dry studio sound
- aggressive palm muting
- clear note separation
- fast attack