Clean Tone
The Number of the Beast (2015 Remaster)
Iron Maiden
BassHeavy Metal1980s (original recording era)
Original Gear
BassFender Precision Bass (mid‑1970s, custom Steve Harris signature modifications)
AmpCustom Alectron preamp into Marshall 4×12 cabinets with Electro‑Voice EVM12L speakers (primary); Gallien‑Krueger MB800 backup
PickupsSeymour Duncan SPB‑4 Steve Harris signature split‑coil
Amp Settings
gain0
bass5.5
mid6
treble6.5
presence5
compression4
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Tone knob bypassed; uses Rotosound flatwound strings; signal chain includes Tech‑21 SH1 SansAmp DI, Pete Cornish switching, DBX 160 compressor
Tone Character(4)
bright clanky attackmid‑range punchgalloping rhythmic clarityfull low‑end without muddiness
Difficulty
Steve Harris’s basslines demand precise, fast two‑finger galloping technique with a light touch and anchored wrist, combined with a rig that emphasizes mid‑range clarity and attack.
Sources
Steve Harris talks gear including Fender Precision, SPB‑4 pickup, SansAmp, preamp, cabsRig rundown: Fender P bass, custom preamp, Marshall cabs with EV speakers, backup GK MB800Reddit: mid‑1970s Fender Precision, tone knob bypassed, Rotosound flats, custom preamp into Marshall 4×12 EV cabsReddit: uses two‑finger technique, low action, light touch, tone knob disconnected
This tone has been researched 2 times by the community
Create an account to adapt this tone to your gear
Create Free AccountBassHeavy Metal1980s (original recording era)
Original Gear
BassFender Precision Bass (mid‑1970s, custom Steve Harris signature modifications)
AmpCustom Alectron preamp into Marshall 4×12 cabinets with Electro‑Voice EVM12L speakers (primary); Gallien‑Krueger MB800 backup
PickupsSeymour Duncan SPB‑4 Steve Harris signature split‑coil
Amp Settings
gain0
bass5.5
mid6
treble6.5
presence5
compression4
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Sources
Steve Harris talks gear including Fender Precision, SPB‑4 pickup, SansAmp, preamp, cabsRig rundown: Fender P bass, custom preamp, Marshall cabs with EV speakers, backup GK MB800Reddit: mid‑1970s Fender Precision, tone knob bypassed, Rotosound flats, custom preamp into Marshall 4×12 EV cabsReddit: uses two‑finger technique, low action, light touch, tone knob disconnected
This tone has been researched 2 times by the community
Notes
Tone knob bypassed; uses Rotosound flatwound strings; signal chain includes Tech‑21 SH1 SansAmp DI, Pete Cornish switching, DBX 160 compressor
Tone Character(4)
bright clanky attackmid‑range punchgalloping rhythmic clarityfull low‑end without muddiness
Difficulty
Steve Harris’s basslines demand precise, fast two‑finger galloping technique with a light touch and anchored wrist, combined with a rig that emphasizes mid‑range clarity and attack.
The Number of the Beast (2015 Remaster) settings for your amp
Exact settings ToneAdapt players use on these amps.
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