Riff Tone

Afraid to Shoot Strangers (2015 Remaster)

Iron Maiden

Guitarmetal1990s

Original Gear

GuitarFender Stratocaster (Adrian Smith signature or similar, 1992 studio recording)

AmpMarshall JCM 900 (studio recording, 1992 era; Marshall DSL40 used for modern emulation in sources)

PickupsDiMarzio Super Distortion (bridge humbucker, Adrian Smith's Strat configuration)

Amp Settings

gain7.5

bass6

mid5.5

treble7

reverb1.5

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

delayUnknown Delay pedal (model unknown)

Notes

Studio recording, 1992. The 2015 Remaster is from the original 'Fear of the Dark' sessions. Adrian Smith and Dave Murray both used Strat-style guitars with humbuckers in the bridge. Marshall JCM 900 was the primary amp in this era. Settings from modern DSL40 are used as close emulation.

Tone Character(10)

tight and percussivemid-scooped EQbright and articulatepunchy bridge humbucker attackclear note separationmoderate saturationdefined palm-muted gallopsslightly saturated lead tonehigh output and sustaincontrolled low-end

Difficulty

The riff requires intermediate to advanced rhythm skills, especially for maintaining tight palm-muted gallops and clear articulation at a moderate tempo. The main challenges are rhythmic precision and stamina.