GuitarDistortedSolo80% confidence
Altitudes Solo Guitar Tone Settings — Jason Becker
Jason Becker · 1980s · metal
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Custom Shrapnel-era Hurricane guitar (Superstrat style, likely with DiMarzio pickups)
Pickups
DiMarzio humbucker (bridge position, likely PAF Pro or similar high-output model)
Amp
Marshall JCM800 2203
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1988. Gear confirmed for 'Perpetual Burn' album sessions, which includes 'Altitudes'. No evidence of live rig or alternate guitars/amps for the solo section. No evidence of ADA MP-1 or Carvin X100B on this track; JCM800 confirmed by Jason Becker for this album. Pickup and guitar model inferred from era photos and interviews.
Amp Settings
Mids6
Bass6
Gain7.5
Reverb1.5
Treble7.5
Presence7
Effects Chain
- Boss SD-1 Super OverDrive · overdrive
- Delay pedal (model unknown) · delay
Guitar → Boss SD-1 Super OverDrive → Delay pedal (model unknown) → Marshall JCM800 2203 (with spring reverb)
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Tone Character
- singing sustain
- crisp, crunchy tone
- exaggerated high-end EQ
- fluid legato runs
- tight, articulate picking response
- fast attack
- clear note separation
- high-gain saturation
- minimal reverb
- lead-focused clarity
Notes & Caveats
- No direct numeric amp settings for 'Altitudes' solo found; settings estimated based on typical Marshall JCM800 usage for 1980s shred/metal and tone descriptors from sources.
- Guitar model inferred from era photos and interviews; exact pickup model not explicitly confirmed but DiMarzio humbucker is highly likely.
- No direct evidence of specific pedal models used on 'Altitudes' solo; Boss SD-1 is commonly cited for Becker's lead tones of this era.
- Delay is clearly audible in the solo but no source confirms exact pedal or settings; included as 'Delay pedal (model unknown)'.
- Minimal reverb is audible, likely from studio or amp; set to low value.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Jason Becker's 'Altitudes' solo section features a saturated, singing 80s lead tone with strong note clarity, moderate mids, tight bass, and bright but not harsh highs, typical of a Carvin X100B or similar amp. The reverb is minimal, as was common for 80s shred, and the presence is boosted for articulation.