Metal1980British Steel

Breaking the Law Amp Settings

by Judas Priest

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Original Recording Settings

Well-SourcedResearched tone data for "Breaking the Law" by Judas Priest

Original Gear

Guitar: Glenn Tipton: Fender Stratocaster (modified); K.K. Downing: Gibson Flying V
Pickups: DiMarzio Super Distortion (Tipton's Strat), stock Gibson humbuckers (Downing's Flying V) (bridge)
Amplifier: Marshall JCM800 / Marshall Super Lead 1959
Channel: Single channel, cranked
Tuning: Standard E
Pickup Selector: bridge
Strings: 0.010 gauge (Ernie Ball)

British Steel was the band's commercial breakthrough and featured a tighter, more direct guitar sound than previous albums. The Marshall heads were cranked for natural tube overdrive. Producer Tom Allom captured a rawer, more stripped-down tone.

Amp Settings

Gain

6.0

Bass

5.0

Mid

7.0

Treble

7.0

Presence

7.0

Volume

8.0

Exact settings not documented. The British Steel tone is mid-heavy with a crunchy, natural Marshall overdrive character — not as high-gain as later albums. Estimates based on the known mid-forward, punchy character and the use of non-master-volume Marshalls cranked for natural breakup.

Effects Chain

→

Straight into amp for primary tone

No essential effects

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1.Straight into amp for primary tone — The British Steel sound is notably dry and direct. Any effects used were minimal — possibly a touch of delay on leads from the studio board.

Playing Technique

The iconic riff is played with a simple, driving downstroke pattern. Tight palm muting on the lower strings creates the chunky rhythm. The dual-guitar approach has both players in unison for maximum impact. The song deliberately avoids a guitar solo — it's all about the riff. Medium-heavy pick attack with consistent dynamics.

Sources+

Equipboard.com — Glenn Tipton and K.K. Downing profiles
Guitar World — Judas Priest rhythm style lesson (confirms Marshall, mid-heavy settings)
Music Strive — Judas Priest amp settings guide (Tipton's modified Strat with DiMarzio Super Distortion)
Wikipedia — Glenn Tipton (career gear overview)
Student of Guitar — Judas Priest guitar tone analysis