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Dissident (Remastered) — Pearl Jam1 / 2
Original RigYour Adaptation
GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence

Dissident (Remastered) Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Pearl Jam

Pearl Jam · 1990s · rock

studio

Original Recording

Guitar
Fender Stratocaster (likely 1960s reissue, as used by Mike McCready on Vs. era studio recordings)
Pickups
Fender single-coil pickups (vintage-style, stock Strat pickups)
Amp
Marshall JCM800 2203 head into Marshall 1960A 4x12 cabinet
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup

Studio recording, 1993 (Vs. album sessions). Mike McCready is confirmed to use a Stratocaster into a Marshall JCM800 for heavy rhythm tones on Vs. No evidence of other guitars or amps for this song's riff section. No pedalboard photos or interviews specifically for 'Dissident', but this is the established rig for the era and album. Studio, not live.

Amp Settings

Mids
7
Bass
6
Gain
6.5
Reverb
2.5
Treble
6.5
Presence
6

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Tone Character

  • aggressive and saturated
  • tight palm-muted attack
  • mid-forward crunch
  • bright and articulate
  • punchy low end
  • dynamic pick response
  • slight natural compression
  • controlled feedback
  • minimal ambience
  • classic Marshall drive

Notes & Caveats

  • ⚠️No direct studio documentation for 'Dissident' riff section, but all available sources and era-specific gear lists confirm Stratocaster and Marshall JCM800 as core rig for heavy rhythm on Vs.
  • ⚠️No pedalboard or effect-specific evidence for this song's riff section; settings estimated based on typical Marshall JCM800 usage for 1990s grunge/rock and forum consensus.
  • ⚠️Amp settings estimated from forum posts and typical Marshall usage for this genre/era; no numeric settings found for 'Dissident' specifically.
  • ⚠️No evidence of additional pedals or effects (delay, chorus, etc.) used on the riff section; dry, amp-driven distortion is characteristic for this part.
  • ⚠️Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Pearl Jam's 'Dissident' riff features a classic 90s rock crunch with pronounced mids, moderate gain, and a balanced EQ, typical of Mike McCready and Stone Gossard's Marshall and Fender amp setups of the era. The tone is punchy and present but not overly bright or scooped, with just a touch of reverb for space.

Sources