Metal1982
How to get the Number of the Beast guitar tone
Iron Maiden
Big, saturated, full of sustain. The kind of tone that makes a three-note riff feel like a statement. The mids are scooped back, which opens up the low end and gives the treble more room to cut — great for rhythm, though leads can disappear in a mix if you're not careful. Layer in room reverb and the whole thing takes on a dimension you can't get from the amp alone.
Gear used on the recording
GuitarHumbucker (Les Paul / SG / Superstrat)
AmpHigh-gain (Mesa Mark V / Peavey 6505)
Key tone characteristics
- 1Sustained distortion with controlled feedback — preamp working hard
- 2Scooped midrange — aggressive and wide-sounding, especially for palm-muted riffs
- 3Humbuckers preferred — single coils will get you in the neighbourhood but won't have the same body
Ready to dial it in?
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We'll match the Number of the Beast tone profile to your specific amp, guitar, and pedals — recommended knob positions, not approximations.
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