Hallowed Be Thy Name

The recording

Recorded at Battery Studios, London in early 1982 and produced by Martin “Farmer” Birch. The track features the twin‑lead approach of Dave Murray and Adrian Smith, with tight rhythm guitars and soaring harmonised solos that sit prominently in the mix. (Source: The Number Of The Beast – Credits; Total Guitar October 2022).

Tuning Standard E (E A D G B E)

Reported gear

1979 Fender Stratocaster (White)

Guitar

Murray's white Stratocaster, fitted with a bridge single‑coil pickup, delivers the bright, cutting lead tone heard throughout the song’s solos and harmonised rhythm parts.

1976 Gibson Les Paul Standard

Guitar

Smith’s Les Paul provides the warm, thick rhythm foundation and secondary lead voice, using the bridge pickup for a fuller mid‑range that complements Murray’s Strat tone.

Boss CE-2 Chorus

Chorus

The analog CE‑2 adds a subtle swirling depth to both guitars, especially evident on the clean arpeggiated intro and the layered harmonised lines.

Boss CH-1 Super Chorus

Chorus

The Super Chorus thickens the modulation, giving the twin‑lead sections a richer, more expansive texture.

Marshall JCM800 2203 (100 W)

Amp

The 100‑watt JCM800 provides the raw, high‑gain distortion and tight low‑end that drives the song’s heavy rhythm sections and soaring solos.

Marshall 1960B 4×12 Cabinet

Cabinet

Both guitars were miked from a Marshall 1960B 4×12 cabinet, delivering tight mids and pronounced low‑end punch that sit prominently in the mix.

Alternatives

Squier Classic Vibe Stratocaster

Budget alternative · for the 1979 Fender Stratocaster (White)

$350 to $450

Boss CH-1 Super Chorus (reissue)

Reissue · for the Boss CH-1 Super Chorus

$150 to $180

Epiphone Les Paul Standard

Budget alternative · for the 1976 Gibson Les Paul Standard

$500 to $700

Marshall DSL40CR

Modern equivalent · for the Marshall JCM800 2203 (100 W)

$1,200 to $1,500

Boss CE-2W Chorus

Reissue · for the Boss CE-2 Chorus

$130 to $160

Marshall 1960A 4×12 Cabinet (reissue)

Reissue · for the Marshall 1960B 4×12 Cabinet

$800 to $1,200

Practical playing approach

Recreation guidance, not a claim about undocumented studio control positions.

1. 1.Select the bridge pickup on both guitars for the brightest lead tone.
2. 2.Engage a subtle analog chorus (e.g., Boss CE‑2) to replicate the song’s swirling texture.
3. 3.Drive the Marshall JCM800 to a mid‑high gain setting and keep the volume high for sustain.
4. 4.Use tight alternate‑picked eighth‑note runs for the fast rhythm figures.
5. 5.Pan the two guitar tracks left and right to recreate the signature twin‑lead sound.