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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)
Signal chain
Original 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
Practical playing approach
Recreation guidance, not a claim about undocumented studio control positions.
- 1.Select the bridge pickup on both guitars for the brightest lead tone.
- 2.Engage a subtle analog chorus (e.g., Boss CE‑2) to replicate the song’s swirling texture.
- 3.Drive the Marshall JCM800 to a mid‑high gain setting and keep the volume high for sustain.
- 4.Use tight alternate‑picked eighth‑note runs for the fast rhythm figures.
- 5.Pan the two guitar tracks left and right to recreate the signature twin‑lead sound.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
What gear was used for the Hallowed Be Thy Name guitar tone?
The available research points to 1979 Fender Stratocaster (White) into Marshall JCM800 2203 (100 W). The full reported signal chain and evidence links are listed on this page.
Are the original Hallowed Be Thy Name amp settings documented?
Exact historical knob positions are not reliably documented for most recordings. ToneTwin does not publish generated values as studio fact; it creates playable settings only for the amp and pedals a player selects.
What tuning is Hallowed Be Thy Name in?
The current research record lists Standard E (E A D G B E). ToneTwin keeps corrections open when reliable accounts disagree.
How do I recreate the Hallowed Be Thy Name tone on my own gear?
Use the reported pickup, gain character, effects and signal-chain order as the target, then translate that target to your equipment. The matcher models controls for your selected rig rather than copying undocumented studio numbers.
Researched and reviewed by the ToneTwin Research Team.
