Judas Priest - Breaking the Law - Guitar Tab

Gibson Flying V

Richie Faulkner's weapon of choice, the Flying V's aggressive body shape matches Judas Priest's metal aesthetic while its mahogany construction and fast neck enable his lead-heavy playing style. The V's natural sustain and tonal balance cut through stadium mixes with the same clarity that defines modern Priest.

Marshall JCM800

Glenn Tipton's signature tone comes from cranking the JCM800's preamp to 7-8 for tight, aggressive crunch that retains note clarity even at extreme volumes. The JCM800's midrange-forward character is essential to Priest's riffs cutting through, unlike thrash bands that scoop mids.

Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier

Both Tipton and Downing added Dual Rectifiers to their rigs for added low-end thickness on rhythm parts, complementing the Marshall's midrange presence. The Rectifier's thick saturation anchors Priest's heavier sections without sacrificing articulation.

EMG 81

Glenn Tipton's bridge pickup of choice since the mid-1980s, the EMG 81 delivers razor-sharp metal tone with controlled low-end and noise-free operation at high gain. Its tight, compressed attack is crucial for Priest's precise riffing and solos that demand clarity.

Seymour Duncan JB

A key component of Judas Priest's pre-1984 'British Steel' and 'Screaming for Vengeance' era tone, the JB's medium-hot output provides vintage aggression without the compressed attack of active pickups. This humbucker captures the raw, organic sustain that defined early Priest lead work.

DiMarzio Super Distortion

The Super Distortion bridges the gap between vintage and modern Priest sounds, offering hot output for aggressive leads while maintaining the midrange clarity that makes Priest's twin-guitar harmonies cut through live. It's the ideal passive alternative for recreating classic Priest tones.