Riff Tone
Dragons
Stratovarius
Guitarmetal2010s+
Original Gear
GuitarESP Custom Strat-style (Timo Tolkki signature or similar, likely alder body, rosewood/maple neck, HSS or HH configuration)
AmpMarshall JCM800 2203 (most likely, as used by Tolkki in studio and live in 2010s; no evidence for other amp on this recording)
PickupsEMG 81 (bridge humbucker, active) or Seymour Duncan TB-4 JB (bridge humbucker, passive) — exact model not confirmed for this track, but both are documented for Tolkki in this era
Amp Settings
gain8
bass6
mid5
treble7.5
reverb1.5
presence6.5
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, Nemesis album (2013). No direct evidence for pedals or alternate amps for 'Dragons' riff, but Tolkki is known for using Marshall JCM800 and ESP guitars with high-output bridge humbuckers for heavy rhythm sections.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussivehigh-gain saturationarticulate rhythm attackcompressed and focusedcrisp high endpunchy low endmodern power metal clarityminimal ambiencescooped but present midsaggressive palm muting
Difficulty
The riff requires fast, accurate alternate picking with tight palm muting and precise rhythm, typical of modern power metal, making it challenging for most intermediate players.
Sources
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Create Free AccountGuitarmetal2010s+
Original Gear
GuitarESP Custom Strat-style (Timo Tolkki signature or similar, likely alder body, rosewood/maple neck, HSS or HH configuration)
AmpMarshall JCM800 2203 (most likely, as used by Tolkki in studio and live in 2010s; no evidence for other amp on this recording)
PickupsEMG 81 (bridge humbucker, active) or Seymour Duncan TB-4 JB (bridge humbucker, passive) — exact model not confirmed for this track, but both are documented for Tolkki in this era
Amp Settings
gain8
bass6
mid5
treble7.5
reverb1.5
presence6.5
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, Nemesis album (2013). No direct evidence for pedals or alternate amps for 'Dragons' riff, but Tolkki is known for using Marshall JCM800 and ESP guitars with high-output bridge humbuckers for heavy rhythm sections.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussivehigh-gain saturationarticulate rhythm attackcompressed and focusedcrisp high endpunchy low endmodern power metal clarityminimal ambiencescooped but present midsaggressive palm muting
Difficulty
The riff requires fast, accurate alternate picking with tight palm muting and precise rhythm, typical of modern power metal, making it challenging for most intermediate players.
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