How to Dial In "Spectre" by Judas Priest - Guitar Tone Settings
What Judas Priest Actually Used on "Spectre"
Original Knob Positions, Pickup, and Tuning
Where to set the knobs for this tone. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale.
These numbers are for an Engl Invader 100. On your amp, they won't sound the same.
Get the settings for my ampHow the artist had their guitar configured for this take.
From Firepower (2018). Firepower is the eighteenth studio album by English heavy metal band Judas Priest. Wikipedia's account of the Firepower sessions has Glenn Tipton recording mainly with his signature ESP Viper and his old custom Hamers, plus a variety of Stratocasters, with an Engl Invader as his main amp, and Richie Faulkner using a white Gibson Les Paul into a Marshall JCM800 and an EVH 5150 for distorted rhythm parts, with a Telecaster through a Roland JC-120 for cleans. The tab does not say which of them has this part, so this tone follows Tipton's chain, with the ESP LTD GT-600 standing for his signature Viper; for Faulkner's side, a Les Paul into a JCM800 is the documented route. Set the amp to a driven, high-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Published transcriptions put it in E♭ standard (E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭), a half step below standard.
Common Questions About the "Spectre" Tone
What guitar did Judas Priest use on "Spectre"?
Judas Priest tracked "Spectre" on an ESP LTD GT-600 Glenn Tipton Signature (released 2018). Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. The track is in E♭ Standard (E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭), so retune before you dial anything in.
What amp settings does "Spectre" need?
On Engl Invader 100: Gain 8, Bass 6, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 6.5, Volume 6.5. 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 "Spectre" without an Engl Invader 100?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the original recipe above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Spectre" 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 "Spectre" by Judas Priest are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.