GuitarDistortedRiff
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
Mids7
Bass5.5
Gain7
Reverb0.5
Treble7
Presence6.5
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.
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