Solo Tone

I'll Be Alright Without You (2024 Remaster)

Journey

Guitarrock2010s+

Original Gear

GuitarPRS NS-15 Neal Schon Signature Prototype (semi-hollow, Floyd Rose, Seymour Duncan Custom Custom bridge pickup, Fernandes Sustainer)

AmpBlackstar Series One 100

PickupsSeymour Duncan Custom Custom (bridge humbucker), Fernandes Sustainer (neck, not always active)

Amp Settings

gain6

bass6

mid7

treble6.5

reverb4

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

boostXotic Xotic Effects RC Booster

compressionBoss Boss CS-3 Compression Sustainer

wahDunlop Dunlop Jimi Hendrix Cry Baby Wah

delayUnknown Delay pedal (model unknown, likely TC Electronic G-System or Fractal Audio Axe-FX Ultra patch)

chorusUnknown Chorus pedal (model unknown, likely Wampler Nirvana Chorus or Fractal Audio Axe-FX Ultra patch)

Notes

Studio recording context for 'I'll Be Alright Without You (2024 Remaster)'. Gear based on Neal Schon's documented studio/live rig for Journey in the 2010s+, specifically the PRS NS-15 prototype and Blackstar Series One 100 amp. Effects and pedals are drawn from confirmed pedalboard photos and rig rundowns from this era. No evidence of alternate guitars or amps for this solo. Pickup choice inferred from typical Schon solo tone and pickup configuration.

Tone Character(10)

singing sustainsmooth and warm lead tonemidrange-focusedslightly compressed attackclear note separationtouch-sensitive responsemoderate gain with claritysubtle ambient delaylush but not overpowering chorusexpressive vibrato and bends

Difficulty

The solo requires intermediate to advanced phrasing skills, expressive vibrato, and precise control over dynamics and timing, especially when playing with delay and modulation effects. While not extremely fast, the solo's melodic phrasing and sustain demand good technique and musicality.