Solo Tone

Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) [2024 Remaster]

Journey

Guitarrock1980s

Original Gear

GuitarFender Custom Shop Stratocaster (Neal Schon spec, Fernandes Sustainer, Roland synth pickup, DiMarzio Fast Track 2 neck, Seymour Duncan Custom Custom bridge)

AmpMesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (studio, 1983 recording era)

PickupsSeymour Duncan Custom Custom (bridge humbucker), DiMarzio Fast Track 2 (neck single-coil sized humbucker), Fernandes Sustainer

Amp Settings

gain7

bass6

mid7

treble7

reverb3.5

presence6.5

Effects & Signal Chain

chorusBoss Boss CE-1 Chorus Ensemble (or similar chorus pedal)

delayUnknown Delay pedal (model unknown, likely analog or tape-style)

compressionUnknown Compression pedal (model unknown, likely MXR or Boss)

Notes

Studio recording, 1983 (Frontiers album, original Separate Ways session). 2024 Remaster is from this era. Guitar is a heavily modded Stratocaster with custom pickups and sustainer. Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ is widely documented as Schon's main studio amp for this period. No evidence of live Fractal/FM9 or modern digital gear on the original recording.

Tone Character(10)

singing sustainliquid and smooth lead tonerich upper midstight low endclear note separationexpressive vibratocutting presencesaturated but articulateharmonic feedbackslightly compressed attack

Difficulty

The solo requires advanced lead guitar technique, including fast runs, expressive vibrato, and precise control of phrasing and sustain, all while managing a high-gain, modulated tone.

Sources

Rig Rundown - Journey's Neal Schon (2014)Rig Rundown: Journey's Neal Schon (2014) - Premier Guitar Journey (band) - Wikipedia

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