GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence
Glasgow Kiss Riff Guitar Tone Settings — John Petrucci
John Petrucci · 2000s · metal
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Ernie Ball Music Man John Petrucci Signature (JP6)
Pickups
DiMarzio Crunch Lab (bridge), DiMarzio LiquiFire (neck) humbuckers
Amp
Mesa/Boogie Mark IV Amp Head
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording for 'Suspended Animation' (2005). Gear confirmed for album sessions, not live. No evidence of alternate guitars or amps for the riff section.
Amp Settings
Mids6
Bass6
Gain7.5
Reverb1.5
Treble7
Presence6.5
Effects Chain
- Boss MT-2 Metal Zone · distortion
Ernie Ball Music Man JP6 → (possible Boss MT-2 Metal Zone) → Mesa/Boogie Mark IV (spring reverb low)
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Tone Character
- tight and percussive
- high-gain saturation
- articulate and clear note definition
- aggressive palm muting
- focused midrange punch
- controlled low end
- crisp high end
- modern progressive metal clarity
- minimal ambience
- fast attack
Notes & Caveats
- No direct numeric amp settings for 'Glasgow Kiss' riff found in sources; settings estimated based on typical Mesa/Boogie Mark IV usage for Petrucci in this era and genre.
- No explicit mention of pedals or effects for the riff section in available sources; effects inferred from audio and genre conventions.
- Guitar and amp confirmed for album, but not for every individual song section; high confidence for main riff based on era and studio context.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Petrucci's 'Glasgow Kiss' riff tone is tight, saturated, and articulate, typical of his Mesa/Boogie Mark series amps with moderate mids, tight bass, and boosted presence for clarity. The gain is high but not extreme, and reverb is minimal for a dry, precise prog-metal sound.