Solo Tone
Temple of Circadia
John Petrucci
Guitarmetal2010s+
Original Gear
GuitarErnie Ball Music Man Majesty 7 (2020 Silver Seven-string or 2019 Enchanted Forest Green Majesty)
AmpMesa/Boogie JP-2C (John Petrucci Signature Mark IIC+)
PickupsDiMarzio Rainmaker (neck), DiMarzio Dreamcatcher (bridge)
Amp Settings
gain7.5
bass6
mid6
treble7
reverb2
presence6.5
Effects & Signal Chain
wahDunlop Dunlop JP95 John Petrucci Signature Cry Baby Wah
delayTC Electronic or Fractal Audio Delay pedal (likely TC Electronic 2290 or Axe-FX II delay block)
chorusTC Electronic or Fractal Audio Chorus pedal (likely TC Electronic 2290 or Axe-FX II chorus block)
Notes
Studio recording, 2020; confirmed use of seven-string Majesty for 'Temple of Circadia' solo section. All sources point to JP-2C amp and signature pickups. No evidence of live-specific gear for this recording.
Tone Character(10)
singing sustainliquid lead tonetight and articulatehigh-gain saturationsmooth legato runscrystal-clear note separationpowerful, modern metal lead soundrich harmonic overtonesfast alternate picking clarityprecise sweep picking
Difficulty
This solo is extremely technical, requiring advanced sweep picking, rapid alternate picking, and fluid legato, all at a fast tempo with precise articulation and phrasing.
Sources
John Petrucci: ”The guitar melody takes the place of the vocals. If it was all soloing and noodling, it would get really boring” | Guitar WorldJohn Petrucci: “If some of it sounds like pop-punk, who cares? This is instrumental guitar music – you can do what you want!“ | Guitar WorldJohn Petrucci's Guitar Gear, Pedalboard & Amps | EquipboardRig Rundown - Dream Theater's John Petrucci - Premier GuitarJohn Petrucci details Terminal Velocity track by track: "These songs had to have a message. And the best way to do that is through melody" | Guitar World
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Create Free AccountGuitarmetal2010s+
Original Gear
GuitarErnie Ball Music Man Majesty 7 (2020 Silver Seven-string or 2019 Enchanted Forest Green Majesty)
AmpMesa/Boogie JP-2C (John Petrucci Signature Mark IIC+)
PickupsDiMarzio Rainmaker (neck), DiMarzio Dreamcatcher (bridge)
Amp Settings
gain7.5
bass6
mid6
treble7
reverb2
presence6.5
Effects & Signal Chain
wahDunlop Dunlop JP95 John Petrucci Signature Cry Baby Wah
delayTC Electronic or Fractal Audio Delay pedal (likely TC Electronic 2290 or Axe-FX II delay block)
chorusTC Electronic or Fractal Audio Chorus pedal (likely TC Electronic 2290 or Axe-FX II chorus block)
Sources
John Petrucci: ”The guitar melody takes the place of the vocals. If it was all soloing and noodling, it would get really boring” | Guitar WorldJohn Petrucci: “If some of it sounds like pop-punk, who cares? This is instrumental guitar music – you can do what you want!“ | Guitar WorldJohn Petrucci's Guitar Gear, Pedalboard & Amps | EquipboardRig Rundown - Dream Theater's John Petrucci - Premier GuitarJohn Petrucci details Terminal Velocity track by track: "These songs had to have a message. And the best way to do that is through melody" | Guitar World
Notes
Studio recording, 2020; confirmed use of seven-string Majesty for 'Temple of Circadia' solo section. All sources point to JP-2C amp and signature pickups. No evidence of live-specific gear for this recording.
Tone Character(10)
singing sustainliquid lead tonetight and articulatehigh-gain saturationsmooth legato runscrystal-clear note separationpowerful, modern metal lead soundrich harmonic overtonesfast alternate picking clarityprecise sweep picking
Difficulty
This solo is extremely technical, requiring advanced sweep picking, rapid alternate picking, and fluid legato, all at a fast tempo with precise articulation and phrasing.
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