Metal1990Painkiller

Painkiller Amp Settings

by Judas Priest

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Original Recording Settings

Well-SourcedResearched tone data for "Painkiller" by Judas Priest

Original Gear

Guitar: Glenn Tipton: Hamer GT Phantom with EMG pickups; K.K. Downing: Hamer Vector / Gibson Flying V with EMG pickups
Pickups: EMG 81 (bridge) on both guitarists' instruments (bridge)
Amplifier: Marshall JCM800 (primary), with rack preamps (Rocktron Piranha, Mesa Boogie TriAxis)
Channel: High gain / overdrive
Tuning: Standard E
Pickup Selector: bridge
Strings: 0.010 gauge (Ernie Ball RPS Slinkys)

The Painkiller album was recorded at Miraval Studios, France, and mixed at Wisseloord Studios, Netherlands. Producer Chris Tsangarides used his signature 'vortex technique' on all guitar tracks. Both Tipton and Downing used Marshall-based rigs with rack preamps for additional gain staging. The album represented a deliberate return to aggressive, raw guitar tones after the synth-heavy Turbo and Ram It Down.

Amp Settings

Gain

7.0

Bass

5.0

Mid

7.0

Treble

7.0

Presence

7.0

Master Volume

6.0

Volume

7.0

Exact recording settings are not publicly documented. Estimates based on the tight, mid-forward, cutting tone of the Painkiller album. Guitar World lesson feature suggests Gain 7, Bass 5, Middle 7, Treble 7 as a starting point. The tone has less mid-scoop than typical thrash metal, with a pronounced upper-mid presence that gives it an aggressive, searing quality.

Effects Chain

→

Dunlop Cry Baby

wah

→

Rocktron Intellifex / Yamaha SPX90

multi_effects

→

Alesis 3630 Compressor

compressor

→

1.Dunlop Cry Baby — Used selectively in lead sections.

2.Rocktron Intellifex / Yamaha SPX90 — Rack-based effects for delay, chorus, and spatial effects on leads.

3.Alesis 3630 Compressor — Rack compressor for evening out dynamics.

Playing Technique

Extremely fast alternate picking with tight palm muting. Both guitarists play in unison for rhythm sections, creating a massive wall of sound from two guitars. Harmonized lead runs are a Priest signature. The title track features blistering 16th-note picked riffs at high tempos. Aggressive vibrato on sustained lead notes. Whammy bar used sparingly for emphasis.

Sources+

Equipboard.com — K.K. Downing and Glenn Tipton profiles (confirm EMG 81, Marshall JCM800 1959 Mk II, Hamer guitars)
Guitar World — 'K.K. Downing and Glenn Tipton brought British steel to the world' lesson feature (amp settings: Gain 7, Bass 5, Middle 7, Treble 7)
Invisible Oranges — 'Man and Machine: The Making of Judas Priest's Painkiller' (June 2023, studio details, Miraval Studios, Chris Tsangarides' vortex technique)
Glenn Tipton interview — confirms Hamer GT Phantom with EMG 81 at 18V, Marshall power amp
My Les Paul Forum — Glenn Tipton's rig rundown (Rocktron Piranha, Mesa TriAxis, Marshall EL34 50/50 power amp)