Riff Tone
Ytse Jam
Dream Theater
Guitarmetal1980s
Original Gear
Guitar1986 Ibanez RG550 (likely, as used by John Petrucci on 'When Dream and Day Unite')
AmpMesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (most likely for this album and era)
PickupsDiMarzio Steve's Special (bridge), DiMarzio Air Norton (neck) or stock Ibanez V7/V8 (likely stock for 1989 recording)
Amp Settings
gain7.5
bass5.5
mid4.5
treble7
reverb1
presence6.5
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 1988-1989. No direct evidence in sources, but all available interviews and Petrucci's own statements point to Ibanez RG550 and Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ for this album. No evidence of pedal use for main riff section.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussiveaggressive palm mutingarticulate note separationcrisp attackscooped midsfocused low endcutting high endminimal ambiencefast alternate picking claritydry, saturated rhythm
Difficulty
The riff requires fast alternate picking, tight palm muting, and precise rhythm, making it challenging for most players but not at the extreme technical level of Dream Theater's later material.
Sources
This tone has been researched 2 times by the community
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Create Free AccountGuitarmetal1980s
Original Gear
Guitar1986 Ibanez RG550 (likely, as used by John Petrucci on 'When Dream and Day Unite')
AmpMesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (most likely for this album and era)
PickupsDiMarzio Steve's Special (bridge), DiMarzio Air Norton (neck) or stock Ibanez V7/V8 (likely stock for 1989 recording)
Amp Settings
gain7.5
bass5.5
mid4.5
treble7
reverb1
presence6.5
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
This tone has been researched 2 times by the community
Notes
Studio recording, 1988-1989. No direct evidence in sources, but all available interviews and Petrucci's own statements point to Ibanez RG550 and Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ for this album. No evidence of pedal use for main riff section.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussiveaggressive palm mutingarticulate note separationcrisp attackscooped midsfocused low endcutting high endminimal ambiencefast alternate picking claritydry, saturated rhythm
Difficulty
The riff requires fast alternate picking, tight palm muting, and precise rhythm, making it challenging for most players but not at the extreme technical level of Dream Theater's later material.
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