Holy Diver

The recording

Recorded at Sound City Studios in 1983, Campbell tracked the riff and solos with a matte‑black Gibson Les Paul Deluxe fitted with a DiMarzio X2N bridge pickup. He ran a Boss SD‑1 (sometimes cited as a DS‑1) overdrive into a stock Marshall JCM800 2203 head, cranked dry, while playing in standard tuning. The tight, mid‑forward tone sits prominently in the mix, with the pedal providing a subtle edge on the solos.

Tuning Standard (E A D G B E)

Reported gear

Gibson Les Paul Deluxe

Guitar

Campbell used a wine‑red Gibson Les Paul Deluxe, refinished matte black and fitted with a DiMarzio X2N bridge pickup, delivering the thick, singing leads on Holy Diver.

Boss SD-1 Overdrive

Overdrive

A Boss SD‑1 (often cited as a DS‑1) overdrive pedal was placed before the amp, adding extra gain for the solos, as noted in multiple 1980s interviews.

Marshall JCM800 2203

Amp

A stock Marshall JCM800 2203 head was cranked dry in the studio, providing the aggressive high‑gain tone heard on Holy Diver.

Alternatives

Epiphone Les Paul Standard PlusTop Pro

Budget alternative · for the Gibson Les Paul Deluxe

$500 to $650

Marshall JCM800 Reissue

Reissue · for the Marshall JCM800 2203

$1,600 to $2,200

Boss DS-1 Distortion

Modern equivalent · for the Boss SD-1 Overdrive

$70 to $90

Practical playing approach

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

1. 1.Attack the strings with a firm pick and keep the bridge pickup volume at full.
2. 2.Engage the bridge pickup and set the tone knob high for a tight, aggressive tone.
3. 3.Use the Boss overdrive pedal to add a subtle boost when soloing; keep the pedal level low to retain amp saturation.
4. 4.Apply palm‑muted chugs on the low strings for the signature riff, and let the higher notes ring out.