Riff Tone

Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) [2024 Remaster]

Journey

Guitarrock1980s

Original Gear

Guitar1981 Gibson Les Paul Custom (Black Beauty, stock humbuckers)

AmpMarshall JMP 2203 (100-watt head, late 1970s/early 1980s, likely with Marshall 4x12 cabinet, Celestion speakers)

PickupsGibson humbuckers (likely T-Top or Dirty Fingers, era-correct)

Amp Settings

gain7

bass6

mid6.5

treble7

reverb2

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 1982 (Escape/Frontiers era, applies to 2024 Remaster as it is a remaster of the original studio track). No evidence of live rig or modern digital gear for this recording. All gear listed is era- and session-correct for Neal Schon and this song's riff section.

Tone Character(10)

tight, chunky rhythm attackclassic British cruncharticulate palm-muted riffingclear note separationpunchy midrange presenceslightly saturated, not high-gainbright top end with controlled sizzlefocused low end, not boomydynamic response to pickingminimal ambience, dry studio sound

Difficulty

The riff requires tight, fast palm muting and precise alternate picking at a high tempo, with syncopated rhythms and dynamic control to maintain clarity and punch, making it moderately challenging for intermediate players.