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Riff Tone
Afraid to Shoot Strangers (2015 Remaster)
Iron Maiden
Guitarmetal1990s
Original Gear
GuitarFender Stratocaster (Adrian Smith signature or similar, 1992 studio recording)
AmpMarshall JCM 900 (studio recording, 1992 era; Marshall DSL40 used for modern emulation in sources)
Amp Settings
gain7.5
bass6
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Notes
Studio recording, 1992. The 2015 Remaster is from the original 'Fear of the Dark' sessions. Adrian Smith and Dave Murray both used Strat-style guitars with humbuckers in the bridge. Marshall JCM 900 was the primary amp in this era. Settings from modern DSL40 are used as close emulation.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussivemid-scooped EQbright and articulatepunchy bridge humbucker attackclear note separationmoderate saturationdefined palm-muted gallopsslightly saturated lead tonehigh output and sustaincontrolled low-end
Difficulty
The riff requires intermediate to advanced rhythm skills, especially for maintaining tight palm-muted gallops and clear articulation at a moderate tempo. The main challenges are rhythmic precision and stamina.
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Create Free AccountGuitarmetal1990s
Original Gear
GuitarFender Stratocaster (Adrian Smith signature or similar, 1992 studio recording)
AmpMarshall JCM 900 (studio recording, 1992 era; Marshall DSL40 used for modern emulation in sources)
Amp Settings
gain7.5
bass6
Create an account to see all tone details
Create Free AccountEffects & Signal Chain
Notes
Studio recording, 1992. The 2015 Remaster is from the original 'Fear of the Dark' sessions. Adrian Smith and Dave Murray both used Strat-style guitars with humbuckers in the bridge. Marshall JCM 900 was the primary amp in this era. Settings from modern DSL40 are used as close emulation.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussivemid-scooped EQbright and articulatepunchy bridge humbucker attackclear note separationmoderate saturationdefined palm-muted gallopsslightly saturated lead tonehigh output and sustaincontrolled low-end
Difficulty
The riff requires intermediate to advanced rhythm skills, especially for maintaining tight palm-muted gallops and clear articulation at a moderate tempo. The main challenges are rhythmic precision and stamina.