Riff Tone
Death Kiss
Mercyful Fate
Guitarmetal1980s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson Flying V (early 1980s, likely 1978-1982 model, as used by Hank Shermann on Melissa sessions)
AmpMarshall JMP 2203 100-watt head into Marshall 4x12 cabinet (studio recording, 1983)
PickupsStock Gibson humbuckers (late 70s/early 80s, likely T-Top or Dirty Fingers)
Amp Settings
gain7
bass5.5
mid5.5
treble7
reverb0
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording for 'Melissa' (1983). No evidence of pedal use for main riff rhythm tone; amp distortion. No evidence of effects loop or additional rack gear for rhythm. Settings estimated based on era, genre, and typical Mercyful Fate studio setup.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussiveaggressive palm mutingsaturated British cruncharticulate note separationmid-forward classic metal tonefocused low endslightly scooped but not hollowclear pick attackdense, harmonically rich distortionno audible reverb or delay
Difficulty
The riff requires fast, accurate picking and tight palm muting at a brisk tempo, demanding good right-hand control and stamina typical of early 80s metal rhythm guitar.
Sources
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Original Gear
GuitarGibson Flying V (early 1980s, likely 1978-1982 model, as used by Hank Shermann on Melissa sessions)
AmpMarshall JMP 2203 100-watt head into Marshall 4x12 cabinet (studio recording, 1983)
PickupsStock Gibson humbuckers (late 70s/early 80s, likely T-Top or Dirty Fingers)
Amp Settings
gain7
bass5.5
mid5.5
treble7
reverb0
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording for 'Melissa' (1983). No evidence of pedal use for main riff rhythm tone; amp distortion. No evidence of effects loop or additional rack gear for rhythm. Settings estimated based on era, genre, and typical Mercyful Fate studio setup.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussiveaggressive palm mutingsaturated British cruncharticulate note separationmid-forward classic metal tonefocused low endslightly scooped but not hollowclear pick attackdense, harmonically rich distortionno audible reverb or delay
Difficulty
The riff requires fast, accurate picking and tight palm muting at a brisk tempo, demanding good right-hand control and stamina typical of early 80s metal rhythm guitar.