TonesMatch
Scene Eight: The Spirit Carries On — Dream Theater1 / 2
Original RigYour Adaptation
GuitarDistortedSolo80% confidence

Scene Eight: The Spirit Carries On Guitar Tone Settings

Dream Theater · 1990s · rock

studio

Original Recording

Guitar
Ernie Ball Music Man John Petrucci Signature (likely JP6 or JP7, based on 1999 studio era)
Pickups
DiMarzio Custom (likely Steve's Special bridge, Air Norton neck, as per late 90s Petrucci studio use)
Amp
Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+
Pickup Position
Neck pickup

Studio recording, 1999. Gear based on known studio rig for 'Scenes from a Memory' era. No evidence of live/touring substitutions for the original album recording.

Amp Settings

Mids
6.5
Bass
6
Gain
6.5
Reverb
4
Treble
6.5
Presence
6

Effects Chain

  • Dunlop Cry Baby Wah (likely rackmount or signature variant) · wah
  • TC Electronic Stereo Chorus/Flanger (SCF) or similar chorus · chorus
  • Delay pedal (model unknown, likely rackmount or TC Electronic 2290) · delay

Guitar → Wah → Chorus → Delay → Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (with spring reverb)

Tone Matcher

Match This Tone to Your Gear

Tell us your guitar and amp — we’ll calculate the exact settings translated to your specific rig.

Adapt to MY Gear →

7-day free trial · Cancel anytime.

Tone Character

  • singing sustain
  • smooth and liquid
  • warm upper mids
  • slightly compressed
  • ambient spaciousness
  • clear note separation
  • expressive bends
  • chorus shimmer
  • touch-sensitive
  • rounded highs

Notes & Caveats

  • ⚠️No direct source lists exact amp knob settings for the studio recording; values estimated based on typical Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ settings for Petrucci's 1999 lead tones.
  • ⚠️Pedal/effect models are inferred from era-correct gear and audible effects in the solo; no direct studio photo or interview confirms exact pedal models for this song.
  • ⚠️Pickup choice (neck) is based on the smooth, rounded lead tone and Petrucci's common practice for solos of this style.
  • ⚠️If new evidence emerges of alternate gear or settings for this specific solo, revise accordingly.
  • ⚠️Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. John Petrucci's solo tone on 'The Spirit Carries On' is smooth, sustaining, and expressive, with moderate gain for singing leads, forward mids for vocal quality, and balanced bass/treble. Era-appropriate rack effects and studio reverb add ambience, while his Mesa/Boogie Mark series amp settings favor clarity and warmth.

Sources