lead guitar from “hallowed be thy name” by iron maiden | ToneDB
hallowed be thy name
iron maiden
lead guitar
AI generatedv1.0
Tone Profile
The lead guitar tone is characterized by a classic British heavy metal sound, featuring a harmonically rich distortion with a slightly scooped midrange that allows it to cut through the mix.
Gear
- Fender Stratocasterinstrument
- ReverbSweetwater
- Marshall JMPamp
- ReverbSweetwater
- Shure SM57microphone
- ReverbSweetwater
- MXR Distortion+processing
- ReverbSweetwater
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The Story
Adrian Smith's lead guitar tone on "Hallowed Be Thy Name" was recorded using his Fender Stratocaster through a Marshall JMP amplifier, with an MXR Distortion+ providing additional saturation and sustain. The track was recorded at Battery Studios in London and produced by Martin Birch, who was known for his work with numerous heavy metal acts. The recording setup utilized close-miking techniques to capture the direct sound of the Marshall cabinet.
Production Credits
Producer: Martin Birch
Engineer: Nigel Hewitt-Green
Recorded at: Battery Studios, London
Signal Chain
Instrument: Fender Stratocaster
Amp: Marshall JMP
Microphone: Shure SM57
Processing: MXR Distortion+
Recreation Tips
- Start with a Fender Stratocaster and dial in a driven tone on a Marshall JMP amp. Use the MXR Distortion+ to add sustain and distortion, keeping the level moderate to avoid excessive noise. Place a Shure SM57 close to the speaker cone and adjust the mic position for optimal clarity. Use EQ to slightly scoop the mids if needed, but be careful not to overdo it.
Original Gear
- Fender Stratocaster(guitar)
- Marshall JMP(amp)
- Shure SM57(mic)
- MXR Distortion+(pedal)
Substitutions & Recommendations
Alternative to: Marshall JMP
20-watt plexi-style head that captures the JMP's harmonically rich distortion at manageable volumes, perfect for the British metal tone
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: MXR Distortion+
Current reissue of the exact same pedal used on the original recording, providing identical saturation and sustain characteristics
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Fender Stratocaster
Modern Stratocaster with single-coil pickups that deliver the bright, articulate tone essential to Smith's sound
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Marshall JMP + MXR Distortion+
High-quality Marshall-style amp modeling with built-in overdrive circuits that can replicate the JMP/Distortion+ combination digitally
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Marshall JMP
Can push a clean amp into Marshall-style saturation territory while maintaining the harmonic richness needed for this tone
ReverbSweetwaterFrequently Asked Questions
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