GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence
In My Dreams Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Dokken
Dokken · 1980s · metal
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
ESP Kamikaze (George Lynch signature, custom shop, 1985-86 era)
Pickups
Seymour Duncan Screamin' Demon (bridge humbucker), ESP single coil (neck)
Amp
Marshall JCM800 2203 (100W, likely modded, 1980s)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording for 'In My Dreams' (1985/1986), Under Lock and Key album. George Lynch is known to have used his ESP Kamikaze with a Duncan Screamin' Demon and a Marshall JCM800 for Dokken's mid-80s recordings. No direct source confirms pedals for this specific riff, but period-correct interviews and audio evidence suggest a Tube Screamer-type boost was likely used. No evidence of chorus, delay, or flanger on the riff section.
Amp Settings
Mids5.5
Bass6
Gain7.5
Reverb1.5
Treble7
Presence6.5
Effects Chain
- Overdrive pedal (Tube Screamer-type, model unknown) · overdrive
ESP Kamikaze → Overdrive pedal (Tube Screamer-type) → Marshall JCM800 (with light spring reverb)
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Tone Character
- tight and percussive
- aggressive midrange bite
- saturated high-gain rhythm
- articulate note separation
- crisp treble edge
- slightly scooped but present mids
- controlled feedback
- focused, punchy low end
- minimal ambience
- palm-muted chug
Notes & Caveats
- No direct source provides exact amp or pedal settings for the 'In My Dreams' riff; values estimated based on typical 1980s Marshall JCM800 usage for Dokken and George Lynch's known rig.
- No evidence of chorus, delay, or flanger on the riff section; only high-gain rhythm tone is audible.
- Pedal use (Tube Screamer-type boost) is inferred from era, genre, and Lynch's known practices, not explicitly confirmed for this song.
- Pickup and amp models are confirmed for the era but not for this specific session; high confidence based on multiple interviews and period photos.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. George Lynch's tone on 'In My Dreams' is classic mid-80s LA metal: high gain but not oversaturated, tight low end, slightly scooped mids, and bright but not harsh treble. He typically used a Marshall JCM800 boosted with an overdrive, with minimal reverb and a present, cutting sound that sits well in the mix.