GuitarCleanRiff80% confidence
Altitudes Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Jason Becker
Jason Becker · 1980s · metal
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Carvin DC200 (custom Super Strat style, likely with DiMarzio pickups)
Pickups
DiMarzio single-coil (middle/neck), DiMarzio Fast Track (bridge)
Amp
Marshall JCM800
Pickup Position
Middle or neck single-coil (likely middle position)
Studio recording, 1988-1989. No evidence of pedals for the riff section; clean tone achieved with amp and guitar only. Some sources suggest a direct input (DI) for the clean tone, but the most credible evidence points to a Super Strat with single-coils into a Marshall JCM800 for the main riff.
Amp Settings
Mids6
Bass5.5
Gain0
Reverb1.5
Treble7
Presence6
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Tone Character
- clean and glassy
- bright and articulate
- dynamic and touch-sensitive
- percussive attack
- single-coil clarity
- minimal breakup
- slight amp compression
- studio clarity
- no pedal coloration
- no audible modulation or time-based effects
Notes & Caveats
- Gain adjusted to 0 for clean tone
- No direct studio documentation of exact amp knob settings; values estimated based on typical JCM800 clean settings for single-coil guitars in late 1980s metal context.
- Some sources mention possible DI (direct input) for clean tone, but majority consensus and genre/era suggest Marshall JCM800 was used.
- No evidence of pedals or effects for the riff section; clean tone is likely amp/guitar only.
- Pickup position inferred from tone descriptors and typical Becker setup; not explicitly confirmed in sources.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Jason Becker's 'Altitudes' riff section features a saturated, articulate 80s lead tone typical of high-gain Marshall or Carvin amps, with a balanced EQ (slightly mid-forward for note clarity), moderate bass for tightness, and minimal reverb for a dry, immediate sound. These settings reflect Becker's era, gear, and the genre's production norms.