TonesMatch
The Number of the Beast (2015 Remaster) — Iron Maiden1 / 2
Original RigYour Adaptation
GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence

The Number of the Beast (2015 Remaster) Guitar Tone Settings

Iron Maiden · 1980s · metal

studio

Original Recording

Guitar
Fender Stratocaster (Adrian Smith's main Strat with DiMarzio Super Distortion bridge pickup, 1982 studio recording)
Pickups
DiMarzio Super Distortion (bridge), DiMarzio PAF (neck)
Amp
Marshall JMP 2204 Mk II Master Lead 50w (stacked, with Marshall cabinets; Celestion and EV speakers miked in studio)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup (DiMarzio Super Distortion)

Studio recording, 1982 (used for 2015 remaster); rhythm/riff section. Gear confirmed by Guitar World interview and Equipboard. Effects board by Pete Cornish with MXR Distortion Plus, CryBaby wah, MXR Phase 90, FET Power Booster, and always-on graphic EQ. No evidence of time-based or modulation effects in riff section.

Amp Settings

Mids
7
Bass
5.5
Gain
7
Reverb
0.5
Treble
7
Presence
6.5

Effects Chain

  • MXR Distortion Plus · distortion
  • Pete Cornish custom graphic EQ (model unknown) · eq
  • FET Power Booster (model unknown) · boost

Fender Stratocaster (bridge pickup) → MXR Distortion Plus → Pete Cornish EQ → FET Power Booster → Marshall JMP 2204 Mk II → Marshall 4x12 cabinet (Celestion/EV speakers, miked in studio)

Tone Matcher

Match This Tone to Your Gear

Tell us your guitar and amp — we’ll calculate the exact settings translated to your specific rig.

Adapt to MY Gear →

7-day free trial · Cancel anytime.

Tone Character

  • crunchy and overdriven
  • sharp and articulate
  • tight palm-muted chugs
  • aggressive attack
  • harmonic richness
  • clear note separation
  • British heavy metal saturation
  • punchy and pronounced
  • dynamic and energetic
  • complex harmonies

Notes & Caveats

  • ⚠️No direct numeric amp settings found; values estimated based on typical Marshall JMP 2204 usage for early 1980s British metal and confirmed gear.
  • ⚠️Pedalboard confirmed for studio use, but no evidence of time-based or modulation effects (delay, chorus, flanger) in riff section; only distortion, EQ, and possible boost.
  • ⚠️Pickup and amp model confirmed for studio recording; live gear may differ.
  • ⚠️No evidence of effects loop or amp-based reverb/delay used in riff section.
  • ⚠️Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Iron Maiden's 'Number of the Beast' (especially the riff section) features classic early-80s British metal tone: crunchy but not modern high-gain, with forward mids (Marshall amps), tight bass, and clear but not harsh treble. Presence is boosted for clarity, and reverb is minimal, matching the dry, punchy production of the era.

Sources