Riff Tone
The Mirror
Dream Theater
Guitarmetal1990s
Original Gear
GuitarErnie Ball Music Man John Petrucci Signature (likely 6-string, pre-Majesty, with DiMarzio pickups)
AmpMesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier (studio recording, 1994 era)
PickupsDiMarzio Steve's Special (bridge), DiMarzio Air Norton (neck), both humbuckers
Amp Settings
gain8.5
bass6
mid5.5
treble7
reverb1
presence6.5
Effects & Signal Chain
overdriveUnknown Overdrive pedal (model unknown, likely used as boost)
noise_gateUnknown Noise gate (model unknown)
Notes
Studio recording for 'Awake' (1994). Guitar is likely the Ernie Ball Music Man JP6 with DiMarzio pickups, as the 7-string was not yet in use for this track. Amp is the Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier, confirmed by multiple sources for this album's heavy rhythm tones. No evidence of live rig or later amp models for this specific recording.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussiveaggressive palm-muted chugshigh-gain saturationarticulate low stringscontrolled low-endslightly boosted mids and treblequick attackairy and open cab resonanceclear note separationdynamic and punchy
Difficulty
The riff requires advanced right-hand palm muting, precise alternate picking, and tight synchronization with complex rhythm patterns, making it challenging for most players.
Sources
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Create Free AccountGuitarmetal1990s
Original Gear
GuitarErnie Ball Music Man John Petrucci Signature (likely 6-string, pre-Majesty, with DiMarzio pickups)
AmpMesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier (studio recording, 1994 era)
PickupsDiMarzio Steve's Special (bridge), DiMarzio Air Norton (neck), both humbuckers
Amp Settings
gain8.5
bass6
mid5.5
treble7
reverb1
presence6.5
Effects & Signal Chain
overdriveUnknown Overdrive pedal (model unknown, likely used as boost)
noise_gateUnknown Noise gate (model unknown)
Notes
Studio recording for 'Awake' (1994). Guitar is likely the Ernie Ball Music Man JP6 with DiMarzio pickups, as the 7-string was not yet in use for this track. Amp is the Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier, confirmed by multiple sources for this album's heavy rhythm tones. No evidence of live rig or later amp models for this specific recording.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussiveaggressive palm-muted chugshigh-gain saturationarticulate low stringscontrolled low-endslightly boosted mids and treblequick attackairy and open cab resonanceclear note separationdynamic and punchy
Difficulty
The riff requires advanced right-hand palm muting, precise alternate picking, and tight synchronization with complex rhythm patterns, making it challenging for most players.
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