Riff Tone
Don't Stop Believin' (Live at The Summit, Houston, Texas, November 5, 1981)
Journey
Guitarrock1980s
Original Gear
Guitar1977 Gibson Les Paul Pro Deluxe (black, Floyd Rose prototype, active electronics, yellow Ferrari sticker)
AmpVox AC30 Guitar Combo Amp
PickupsGibson P90 single-coil pickups (stock for Les Paul Pro Deluxe)
Amp Settings
gain6
bass6
mid7
treble7
reverb3
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Live performance at The Summit, Houston, Texas, November 5, 1981. Guitar is confirmed by multiple sources as Neal Schon's main instrument for this tour and song. Amp confirmed as Vox AC30 for this live era. No evidence of additional rack gear or pedalboard for this riff section.
Tone Character(10)
bright and articulateslightly gritty edge-of-breakupclear note separationtight and punchychiming upper midsdynamic and responsivenot overly compressedclassic rock claritypercussive attackdefined rhythm
Difficulty
The riff requires tight timing and clean muting for the iconic intro and verse, but does not involve advanced techniques or fast lead playing.
Sources
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Create Free AccountGuitarrock1980s
Original Gear
Guitar1977 Gibson Les Paul Pro Deluxe (black, Floyd Rose prototype, active electronics, yellow Ferrari sticker)
AmpVox AC30 Guitar Combo Amp
PickupsGibson P90 single-coil pickups (stock for Les Paul Pro Deluxe)
Amp Settings
gain6
bass6
mid7
treble7
reverb3
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Live performance at The Summit, Houston, Texas, November 5, 1981. Guitar is confirmed by multiple sources as Neal Schon's main instrument for this tour and song. Amp confirmed as Vox AC30 for this live era. No evidence of additional rack gear or pedalboard for this riff section.
Tone Character(10)
bright and articulateslightly gritty edge-of-breakupclear note separationtight and punchychiming upper midsdynamic and responsivenot overly compressedclassic rock claritypercussive attackdefined rhythm
Difficulty
The riff requires tight timing and clean muting for the iconic intro and verse, but does not involve advanced techniques or fast lead playing.
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