GuitarDistortedSolo80% confidence
Who's Crying Now Solo Guitar Tone Settings — Journey
Journey · 1980s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
1977 Gibson Les Paul Pro Deluxe (black, Floyd Rose, active electronics, yellow Ferrari sticker, serial 06 115596)
Pickups
Gibson P-90 single-coil pickups (stock for Pro Deluxe, but possibly modified with active electronics; no evidence of humbuckers for this recording)
Amp
Marshall JMP 2203 Mk II Master Lead 100w
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1981. Guitar confirmed by Equipboard and photo evidence as used on 'Escape' album including 'Who's Crying Now' solo. Amp confirmed as Marshall JMP 2203 Mk II by Equipboard and community setups. No evidence of live/touring substitutions for the studio version.
Amp Settings
Mids7
Bass6
Gain7.5
Reverb3.5
Treble7
Presence6
Effects Chain
- Chorus pedal (model unknown) · chorus
- Delay pedal (model unknown) · delay
Guitar → Chorus pedal → Delay pedal → Marshall JMP 2203 Mk II (with spring reverb)
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Tone Character
- singing sustain
- smooth and melodic lead
- rich upper-mid harmonics
- clear note separation
- touch-sensitive response
- moderate compression
- classic 80s rock lead
- fluid legato phrasing
- bridge pickup bite
- slightly scooped low-mids
Notes & Caveats
- No direct studio pedalboard photo or session sheet for 'Who's Crying Now' solo; gear and settings are based on multiple reputable sources (Equipboard, Guitar World) and era-typical practices.
- Amp settings are taken from Guitar World lesson for Neal Schon 80s lead tone, which matches the genre and era but may not be the exact studio dial-in.
- Guitar is confirmed as Les Paul Pro Deluxe with P-90s and active electronics, but exact pickup wiring and active circuit settings are not documented.
- Effects are inferred from both source suggestions and clear audio evidence (delay, chorus, reverb), but exact pedal models are not confirmed for the studio session.
- Presence setting is estimated based on typical Marshall JMP 2203 usage in the studio for this genre and era.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Neal Schon’s solo tone on 'Who's Crying Now' is a classic early 80s rock lead: saturated but articulate, with a creamy sustain, forward mids, balanced bass, and a touch of plate reverb. The settings reflect Schon's likely use of a modded Marshall or Boogie, his preference for singing, mid-rich leads, and the era's production style.