Riff Tone

Scene Six: Home

Dream Theater

Guitarmetal1990s

Original Gear

GuitarErnie Ball Music Man John Petrucci JP7 (7-string, early model)

AmpMesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ head into Mesa/Boogie Rectifier 4x12 cabinet

PickupsDiMarzio Custom (likely Blaze or Steve's Special in bridge, Air Norton in neck, as per Petrucci's 1999 rig)

Amp Settings

gain8

bass4.5

mid4.5

treble7

reverb0

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

wahDunlop Dunlop Cry Baby 535Q Multi-Wah

Notes

Studio recording, 1999. Gear confirmed for 'Scenes from a Memory' era. Wah pedal used for main riff. No evidence of additional pedals or rack effects on riff section. Pickup and amp models confirmed by Equipboard and Petrucci interviews. Settings inferred from Guitar World lesson and era-typical Mark IIC+ usage.

Tone Character(10)

tight and percussiveaggressive wah sweeparticulate high-gain rhythmclear note separation under distortionfocused low endslightly scooped midscrisp treble for definitiondry, no ambiencebridge pickup bitemodern progressive metal punch

Difficulty

The riff is technically demanding due to its fast tempo, intricate palm muting, and the need for precise wah pedal control synchronized with complex rhythm patterns.

Sources

John Petrucci's Guitar Gear, Pedalboard & Amps | Equipboard John Petrucci guitar lesson: learn his rhythm secrets

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