GuitarDistortedSolo68% confidence
Scene Three: II. Fatal Tragedy Guitar Tone Settings
Dream Theater · 1990s · metal
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Ernie Ball Music Man John Petrucci Signature (JP6, 1999 model, likely with custom DiMarzio pickups)
Pickups
DiMarzio Custom John Petrucci Signature (pre-Crunch Lab/LiquiFire, likely Steve's Special bridge and Air Norton neck)
Amp
Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (studio recording, 1999)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording for 'Scenes from a Memory' (1999). Petrucci used his signature Ernie Ball Music Man JP6 with DiMarzio pickups into a Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ for the album's heavy/distorted tones. No evidence of live rig or alternate amps for this solo. Effects inferred from audio and typical Petrucci setup of the era.
Amp Settings
Mids5.5
Bass6
Gain7.5
Reverb1.5
Treble7
Presence6.5
Effects Chain
- Delay pedal (model unknown) · delay
- Chorus/Flanger pedal (model unknown) · modulation
Ernie Ball Music Man JP6 → Delay pedal → Chorus/Flanger pedal → Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (with spring reverb)
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Tone Character
- tight and saturated
- singing sustain
- articulate and clear
- liquid legato
- fast note definition
- cutting upper mids
- slightly scooped mids
- crisp pick attack
- subtle ambience from delay
- not overly compressed
Notes & Caveats
- No direct source lists exact amp knob settings for this song/solo; settings estimated based on typical Mark IIC+ usage for Petrucci in 1999 and genre/era.
- Pedal/effect models not confirmed by source for this specific solo; delay and chorus/flanger are clearly audible in the solo section, so included as 'model unknown'.
- Pickup choice inferred from typical Petrucci solo tone and audio (bridge pickup for lead).
- Guitar and amp models confirmed for album sessions, but pickup models are best-guess based on era and Petrucci's known gear.
- No evidence of wah, phaser, or other modulation in this solo; only delay and possible subtle chorus/flanger present.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Petrucci’s tone on 'Fatal Tragedy' (recorded in 1998) uses high gain but remains articulate, with mids slightly forward for note clarity, tight bass, and bright but not harsh treble. Presence is boosted for definition, and reverb is minimal, as was typical for late-90s progressive metal production.