Riff Tone

Metal Gods

Judas Priest

Guitarmetal1980s

Original Gear

GuitarHamer Standard (K.K. Downing) or Gibson Les Paul Custom (Glenn Tipton)

AmpMarshall JMP 2203 (likely 100W, master volume, late 1970s/early 1980s)

PickupsDiMarzio Super Distortion humbuckers (K.K. Downing), Gibson humbuckers (Glenn Tipton)

Amp Settings

gain7

bass5

mid6.5

treble7

reverb1

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 1980, British Steel album. Both K.K. Downing and Glenn Tipton tracked rhythm parts. No evidence of pedal use for the main riff; distortion comes from amp. Pickup selection is bridge for main riff. No evidence of effects loop or outboard effects for rhythm section.

Tone Character(10)

tight and percussivebright and articulatemid-forward for definitionaggressive bridge pickup sounddry with minimal ambienceclassic British crunchfocused low endclear note separationpunchy attacknot overly saturated

Difficulty

The riff requires intermediate-level control of palm muting, alternate picking, and tight rhythm to achieve the mechanical, percussive sound characteristic of the song.

Sources

K.K. Downing and Glenn Tipton brought British steel to the world with Judas Priest – learn the secrets behind the metal gods’ seminal rhythm style | Guitar World Judas Priest Members, Gear & Sound | Equipboard Judas Priest Tone

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