Solo 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, with Floyd Rose tremolo, active electronics, yellow Ferrari sticker)
AmpMarshall JMP 2203 Mk II Master Lead 100w head into 4x12 cabinet
PickupsGibson P-90 single-coil pickups (stock on Pro Deluxe, but some sources suggest humbuckers; video/photo evidence confirms P-90s for this guitar at this show)
Amp Settings
gain7.5
bass6
mid7
treble7
reverb3.5
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
delayMaestro Maestro Echoplex EP-3 (tape echo)
compressionUnknown Compressor pedal (model unknown, likely Boss CS-2 or CS-3)
Notes
Live performance at The Summit, Houston, Texas, November 5, 1981. Guitar is Neal Schon's main Les Paul Pro Deluxe, heavily modded but retaining P-90 pickups for this era. Amp is confirmed Marshall JMP 2203 Mk II. Effects include tape echo (Echoplex) and likely analog delay and reverb. Settings are for live use, not studio.
Tone Character(10)
singing sustainsoaring melodic leadmid-forward classic rock cruncharticulate and expressivethick, melodic soundtouch-sensitiveclear note separationecho-ladensmooth attackslightly compressed
Difficulty
The solo requires advanced melodic phrasing, fast runs, and expressive bending/vibrato, demanding strong control of dynamics and articulation typical of Neal Schon's style.
Sources
Gibson Les Paul Pro Deluxe 1976 - 1982 - What To Know & Where To Buy | EquipboardWith an anthemic, ultra-melodic approach, Neal Schon helped define the sound of ‘80s rock – upgrade your chops with a deep-dive into the Journey virtuoso’s legendary rhythm and lead styles | Guitar WorldNeal Schon Amp Settings & Gear for that Journey Guitar Tone!
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Original Gear
Guitar1977 Gibson Les Paul Pro Deluxe (black, with Floyd Rose tremolo, active electronics, yellow Ferrari sticker)
AmpMarshall JMP 2203 Mk II Master Lead 100w head into 4x12 cabinet
PickupsGibson P-90 single-coil pickups (stock on Pro Deluxe, but some sources suggest humbuckers; video/photo evidence confirms P-90s for this guitar at this show)
Amp Settings
gain7.5
bass6
mid7
treble7
reverb3.5
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
delayMaestro Maestro Echoplex EP-3 (tape echo)
compressionUnknown Compressor pedal (model unknown, likely Boss CS-2 or CS-3)
Sources
Gibson Les Paul Pro Deluxe 1976 - 1982 - What To Know & Where To Buy | EquipboardWith an anthemic, ultra-melodic approach, Neal Schon helped define the sound of ‘80s rock – upgrade your chops with a deep-dive into the Journey virtuoso’s legendary rhythm and lead styles | Guitar WorldNeal Schon Amp Settings & Gear for that Journey Guitar Tone!
Notes
Live performance at The Summit, Houston, Texas, November 5, 1981. Guitar is Neal Schon's main Les Paul Pro Deluxe, heavily modded but retaining P-90 pickups for this era. Amp is confirmed Marshall JMP 2203 Mk II. Effects include tape echo (Echoplex) and likely analog delay and reverb. Settings are for live use, not studio.
Tone Character(10)
singing sustainsoaring melodic leadmid-forward classic rock cruncharticulate and expressivethick, melodic soundtouch-sensitiveclear note separationecho-ladensmooth attackslightly compressed
Difficulty
The solo requires advanced melodic phrasing, fast runs, and expressive bending/vibrato, demanding strong control of dynamics and articulation typical of Neal Schon's style.
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