How to Dial In "By the Gates of Moria" by Blind Guardian - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "By the Gates of Moria"
Suggested rig · the original isn't documented.
Knob Positions, Pickup, and Tuning
Where to set the knobs for this tone. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale.
On your amp, these numbers won't sound the same.
Get the settings for my ampHow the artist had their guitar configured for this take.
From Battalions of Fear (1988). Battalions of Fear is the debut studio album by the German power metal band Blind Guardian, released in 1988. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so an ESP LTD EC-1000 through an Engl Fireball 100, the rig we use for Blind Guardian's other songs from Battalions of Fear, stands in. Set the amp to a driven, high-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "By the Gates of Moria" Tone
What guitar did Blind Guardian use on "By the Gates of Moria"?
The guitar on "By the Gates of Moria" (released 1988) isn't documented; the ESP LTD EC-1000 above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "By the Gates of Moria" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 7, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 7, Presence 6, Volume 8. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale; match them on your amp first, then nudge to taste. ToneMirror can translate these positions for whatever amp you actually own.
Can I play "By the Gates of Moria" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "By the Gates of Moria" tone on a Katana, a Helix, a tube combo, or anything else. The translation accounts for EQ curve, gain structure, and pickup type so the result actually sounds like the record, not just the same knob numbers on different gear.
More Tones You Can Dial In
Tone references for "By the Gates of Moria" by Blind Guardian are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.