Tone library / Iron Maiden / Wasted Years (2015 Remaster)

Wasted Years (2015 Remaster) amp settings — Marshall DSL20HR

The Iron Maiden guitar tone for “Wasted Years (2015 Remaster)”, dialed in for a Marshall DSL20HR with a Jackson SDX Adrian Smith. Studio version, Somewhere in Time (1986), 2015 Remaster

Original rig

Marshall JCM800 2203, Jackson Superstrat with DiMarzio Super Distortion bridge humbucker, Boss SD-1 Super OverDrive for lead boost, minimal effects

Crunchy, mid-forward British metal with tight low end, singing sustain, and articulate pick attack
Amp settings — Marshall DSL20HR
CHANNELUltra Gain (Green/Crunch mode)BRIGHToffBOOSToff
GAIN 6 BASS 5 MID 7 TREBLE 7 PRESENCE 5 REVERB 0 MASTER 5
KnobSetting (0–10)
Gain6
Bass5
Mid7
Treble7
Presence5
Reverb0
Master5
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Guitar
PICKUPbridge TONE8 VOLUME10
Signal chain

01Boss SD-1 Super OverDrive

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. Smith uses this as a clean boost to push the Marshall harder during solos, not as a distortion source. Low drive, high level. Without it, increase amp gain to 7 for leads and accept slightly less sustain.

Level 7 · Tone 6 · Drive 3
Why these settings

Your DSL20HR's Ultra Gain channel is voiced brighter and with more preamp gain than the original JCM800, so gain is set to 6 instead of the 8 often cited—this prevents fizz and retains note definition. Treble stays at 7 rather than 8 because the DSL's treble circuit is more aggressive. The recording is dry with no audible reverb.

PRO TIPSmith's tone on this track relies heavily on precise alternate picking near the bridge pickup pole pieces—pick closer to the bridge than you think for that snappy, defined gallop attack, and let the amp's natural compression do the sustain work rather than squeezing the strings.

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These settings are for a Marshall DSL20HR. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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