Song Rig

Fear of the Dark

Dave Murray · Fear of the Dark · 1992

Tone Overview

What Makes This Sound Unique

Murray's Fender Stratocaster through a Marshall with the twin-guitar Iron Maiden attack — here the neck pickup does the melodic lifting with a singing mid-forward tone. The famous atmospheric intro transitions into a galloping twin-guitar harmony section.

Signal Chain

1Fender Stratocaster (neck pickup)
2Marshall JCM800 2203 (or Erskine-modded Marshall)
3Boss CE-2 Chorus (subtle on the atmospheric intro sections)

Amp Settings

Gain / Volume7

Bass6

Mid8

Treble6

Presence6

Mid-forward Marshall voicing — Iron Maiden's twin-guitar approach relies on midrange definition so both guitars can be heard distinctly. The chorus pedal is subtle on the intro arpeggios and bypassed for the heavier riffing sections.

Technique

How to Play It

Neck pickup for the melodic arpeggiated intro — Murray uses very light vibrato compared to Dickinson's vocal approach, letting the notes ring cleanly before the gallop riff kicks in.

Budget Alternative

Achievable With

Strat (neck PU) → Marshall Origin 20 or DSL20 → Boss CE-2W → EHX Small Stone (optional). The gallop riff is a picking technique exercise more than a gear exercise.

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