Riff Tone
The Wicker Man (2015 Remaster)
Iron Maiden
Guitarmetal2010s+
Original Gear
GuitarFender Stratocaster (Dave Murray signature, likely with Seymour Duncan Hot Rails or JB Jr. in bridge) OR Sandberg California STS (Janick Gers, as seen in En Vivo! and confirmed for this era)
AmpMarshall JCM800 2203 head into Marshall 1960A or 1960B 4x12 cabinet
PickupsSeymour Duncan Hot Rails or JB Jr. (bridge, humbucker-sized single coil for Strat), or Sandberg California STS stock pickups (Janick Gers); both likely using bridge humbucker for riff
Amp Settings
gain7.5
bass5.5
mid7
treble7
reverb0.5
presence5.5
Effects & Signal Chain
overdriveBoss Boss SD-1 Super OverDrive
noise_gateUnknown Noise Gate pedal (model unknown, e.g., ISP Decimator II)
Notes
Studio recording, 2015 remaster of 2000's Brave New World sessions. Gear confirmed for studio and era; settings based on studio tone and published amp settings for Iron Maiden's rhythm sound. No evidence of live gear or alternate guitars for riff section.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussiveclassic British midrange punchfull-bodied distortionbright and articulateaggressive palm mutingpowerful harmonized rhythmcrisp highssustained crunchclear note separationmetal riff clarity
Difficulty
The riff requires fast alternate picking and tight palm muting at a high tempo, with precise timing to lock in with the harmonized guitar parts. While not extremely technical, the speed and rhythmic accuracy demand solid intermediate skills.
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Create Free AccountGuitarmetal2010s+
Original Gear
GuitarFender Stratocaster (Dave Murray signature, likely with Seymour Duncan Hot Rails or JB Jr. in bridge) OR Sandberg California STS (Janick Gers, as seen in En Vivo! and confirmed for this era)
AmpMarshall JCM800 2203 head into Marshall 1960A or 1960B 4x12 cabinet
PickupsSeymour Duncan Hot Rails or JB Jr. (bridge, humbucker-sized single coil for Strat), or Sandberg California STS stock pickups (Janick Gers); both likely using bridge humbucker for riff
Amp Settings
gain7.5
bass5.5
mid7
treble7
reverb0.5
presence5.5
Effects & Signal Chain
overdriveBoss Boss SD-1 Super OverDrive
noise_gateUnknown Noise Gate pedal (model unknown, e.g., ISP Decimator II)
Notes
Studio recording, 2015 remaster of 2000's Brave New World sessions. Gear confirmed for studio and era; settings based on studio tone and published amp settings for Iron Maiden's rhythm sound. No evidence of live gear or alternate guitars for riff section.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussiveclassic British midrange punchfull-bodied distortionbright and articulateaggressive palm mutingpowerful harmonized rhythmcrisp highssustained crunchclear note separationmetal riff clarity
Difficulty
The riff requires fast alternate picking and tight palm muting at a high tempo, with precise timing to lock in with the harmonized guitar parts. While not extremely technical, the speed and rhythmic accuracy demand solid intermediate skills.
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