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Living After Midnight — Judas Priest1 / 2
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Living After Midnight Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Judas Priest

Judas Priest · 1980s · metal

studio

Original Recording

Guitar
Gibson Flying V (K.K. Downing) or Hamer Standard (Glenn Tipton) – likely Flying V for riff
Pickups
EMG 81 Active Humbucker (K.K. Downing era-correct) or stock Gibson humbuckers
Amp
Marshall JCM800 1959 Mk II Super Lead (studio, 1980 British Steel recording)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup

Studio recording, 1980. Both K.K. Downing and Glenn Tipton used Marshall JCM800 1959 Mk II Super Lead heads into Marshall 4x12 cabinets. Downing primarily used a Gibson Flying V with EMG 81 pickups for riff work on British Steel. No evidence of effects loop or extensive pedal use on the riff section.

Amp Settings

Mids
5.5
Bass
5
Gain
7
Reverb
0.5
Treble
7
Presence
6

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Tone Character

  • thin and bright
  • tight and percussive
  • scooped mids
  • classic British crunch
  • aggressive attack
  • crunchy and articulate
  • punchy rhythm
  • high clarity
  • bold and theatrical
  • melodic but intense

Notes & Caveats

  • ⚠️No direct numeric amp settings found for 'Living After Midnight' riff; settings estimated based on era, amp model, and forum descriptions of 'thin bright tone' and 'not a lot of bass or mids'.
  • ⚠️Pedal use for the riff is not documented in any source; no evidence of time-based or modulation effects on the riff section.
  • ⚠️Both K.K. Downing and Glenn Tipton played on the track; Flying V with EMG 81 pickups is most likely for the riff, but Hamer Standard with humbuckers is also possible.
  • ⚠️No evidence of effects loop or amp-based reverb/delay in the studio recording for the riff.
  • ⚠️Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Judas Priest's 'Living After Midnight' riff features a classic late-70s/early-80s British hard rock crunch with forward mids, moderate gain, and tight low end, typical of Marshall amps with Les Pauls. The tone is punchy and present but not overly saturated, with minimal reverb in the dry mix.

Sources