Riff Tone

Rime of the Ancient Mariner (2015 Remaster)

Iron Maiden

Guitarmetal1980s

Original Gear

GuitarFender Stratocaster (likely 1970s or early 1980s, as used by both Dave Murray and Adrian Smith on this album)

AmpGallien-Krueger 250ML

PickupsDiMarzio Super Distortion (bridge, Dave Murray) / Fender single-coil (neck/middle, Adrian Smith); most likely bridge humbucker for main riff

Amp Settings

gain7

bass6

mid6.5

treble7

reverb1.5

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 1984; both Dave Murray and Adrian Smith used Gallien-Krueger 250ML amps for the album. No evidence of Marshall or other amps for this song/era. No confirmed pedal use for the riff section; effects are from amp or studio. Pickup selection inferred from typical Maiden rhythm tone and known guitar mods.

Tone Character(10)

tight and percussiveaggressive attackbright and articulatefocused low endscooped but present midshigh-gain saturationclear note separationfast alternate picking clarityminimal ambienceclassic 1980s metal rhythm

Difficulty

The main riff requires fast, accurate alternate picking and tight palm muting at a high tempo, with complex rhythmic patterns and precise timing, making it challenging for most guitarists.

Sources

Iron Maiden – Seventh Son of a Seventh Son (2015 Remaster) - Gear & Equipment Used on the Album | Equipboard Gallien-Krueger 250ML - What To Know & Where To Buy | Equipboard Iron Maiden Members, Gear & Sound | Equipboard

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