Riff Tone

Voices

Dream Theater

Guitarmetal1990s

Original Gear

GuitarErnie Ball Music Man John Petrucci Signature (likely JP6 or JPM100, as used on Awake album)

AmpMesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (studio recording, as used on Dream Theater's 'Awake' album)

PickupsDiMarzio Steve's Special (bridge), DiMarzio Air Norton (neck), both humbuckers

Amp Settings

gain7.5

bass6

mid5.5

treble7

reverb1.5

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 1994. Gear confirmed for 'Awake' era by multiple interviews and rig rundowns. Petrucci used his signature Ernie Ball Music Man guitar with DiMarzio pickups and a Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ amp for heavy rhythm tones. No evidence of additional pedals or effects for the main riff section; tone is amp-driven. No chorus, delay, or modulation audible in the riff section.

Tone Character(10)

tight and percussivehigh-gain saturationarticulate pick attackfocused midsclear note separationaggressive rhythm crunchmodern metal claritypercussive low endfast attackminimal ambience

Difficulty

The riff requires tight, fast alternate picking with complex palm muting and syncopated rhythms typical of progressive metal. Odd time signatures and precise muting add to the challenge.

Sources

John Petrucci: The Ultimate Evolved Guitarist Compilation of John Petrucci's guitar tones from every album

This tone has been researched 2 times by the community

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