lead guitar from “breaking the law” by judas priest | ToneDB
breaking the law
judas priest
lead guitar
AI generatedv1.0
Tone Profile
The lead guitar tone is aggressive and cutting, with a bright and slightly scooped midrange that allows it to soar above the rhythm section. It's a classic British heavy metal sound, with plenty of sustain and a touch of fuzz.
Gear
- Gibson Les Paulinstrument
- ReverbSweetwater
- Marshall JMPamp
- ReverbSweetwater
- Shure SM57microphone
- ReverbSweetwater
- Fuzz Faceprocessing
- ReverbSweetwater
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The Story
The lead guitar on 'Breaking the Law' was recorded at Startling Studios during the British Steel sessions, with producer Tom Allom and engineer Louis Austin. Glenn Tipton used a Gibson Les Paul through a Marshall JMP amplifier, with the addition of a Fuzz Face pedal to add sustain and aggression. The guitar was captured using a close-miked Shure SM57 on the cabinet.
Production Credits
Producer: Tom Allom
Engineer: Louis Austin
Recorded at: Startling Studios, Tittenhurst Park, Ascot
Signal Chain
Instrument: Gibson Les Paul
Amp: Marshall JMP
Microphone: Shure SM57
Processing: Fuzz Face
Recreation Tips
- Start with a Gibson Les Paul style guitar with humbucker pickups.
- Use a Marshall JMP amp or a similar high-gain amp.
- Add a Fuzz Face pedal to the signal chain.
- Place a Shure SM57 microphone close to the speaker cabinet.
- Adjust the amp and pedal settings to achieve the desired level of gain and sustain.
Original Gear
- Gibson Les Paul(guitar)
- Marshall JMP(amp)
- Shure SM57(mic)
- Fuzz Face(pedal)
Substitutions & Recommendations
Alternative to: Gibson Les Paul
Humbucker-loaded Les Paul style guitar that delivers the thick, sustaining tone needed for this aggressive lead sound at a budget-friendly price
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Marshall JMP
Modern Marshall with classic JMP-inspired overdrive channel that captures the British heavy metal saturation and midrange character
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Fuzz Face
Modern reissue of the classic Fuzz Face circuit that adds the sustain and fuzzy aggression heard on the original recording
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Marshall JMP + Fuzz Face
High-quality amp simulation plugin with fuzz/overdrive options that can recreate the saturated British metal tone in the box
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Shure SM57
The same microphone used on the original recording - still the industry standard for capturing guitar cabinets with that focused midrange punch
ReverbSweetwaterFrequently Asked Questions
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