Riff Tone

Constant Motion

Dream Theater

Guitarmetal2000s

Original Gear

GuitarErnie Ball Music Man John Petrucci Signature (likely JP6 or JP7, 2007 era)

AmpMesa/Boogie Mark IV (studio recording, 2007), possible Mark IIC+ or Triaxis preamp also used

PickupsDiMarzio Crunch Lab (bridge), LiquiFire (neck) humbuckers (high-output, ceramic/alnico V, but for 2007 likely D-Sonic and Air Norton)

Amp Settings

gain8.5

bass6

mid5

treble7

reverb1

presence6.5

Effects & Signal Chain

noise_gateUnknown Noise gate (model unknown)

Notes

Studio recording for 'Systematic Chaos' (2007). Petrucci used his signature Ernie Ball Music Man guitar with high-output humbuckers and a Mesa/Boogie Mark IV amp for heavy rhythm tones. Gear confirmed for this era; live rigs may differ.

Tone Character(10)

tight and percussiveaggressive palm mutinghigh-gain saturationarticulate note separationmodern metal claritycontrolled low-endslightly boosted mids and trebleminimal ambience/reverbcrisp attackbridge pickup bite

Difficulty

The riff section of 'Constant Motion' is highly technical, requiring fast, accurate alternate picking, tight palm muting, and complex rhythmic precision typical of progressive metal.

Sources

Dream Theater (John Petrucci) Amp Settings (gear and tone tips) - Guitar Chalk John Petrucci: The Ultimate Evolved Guitarist - Premier Guitar

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