Song Rig

End of the Beginning

Jason Becker · Perpetual Burn · 1988

Tone Overview

What Makes This Sound Unique

The opening track of Becker's debut — a neoclassical shred tone that established his place alongside Marty Friedman in the Cacophony partnership. The Kramer through a Marshall combination produces a high-gain, harmonically rich tone suited to the Paganini-influenced diminished runs and arpeggios.

Signal Chain

1Kramer Pacer (Floyd Rose tremolo)
2Marshall JCM800 2203
3MXR Distortion+ or similar boost

Amp Settings

Gain / Volume8

Bass6

Mid7

Treble7

Presence7

High-gain JCM800 setting typical of late-80s neoclassical shred — the midrange is kept moderately high to maintain note definition in fast diminished runs, unlike the scooped metal tone of the same era. The tone needs to be bright enough that arpeggiated sweep patterns remain individually audible at high tempo.

Technique

How to Play It

Sweep picking through diminished and major arpeggios directly derived from Paganini's violin caprices — Becker transcribed classical violin techniques to electric guitar with minimal translation. His legato within sweep patterns (hammer-ons on the way up, pull-offs on the way down) creates a particularly fluid line even at very high speed.

Budget Alternative

Achievable With

Superstrat with Floyd Rose → JCM800 or modern high-gain amp → MXR Distortion+ as boost. The technique requires dedicated sweep picking practice; the tone is relatively straightforward to dial in compared to the playing demands.

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