Song Rig
Erotomania
John Petrucci · Awake · 1994
Tone Overview
What Makes This Sound Unique
The Awake-era Petrucci tone — heavier and darker than Images and Words, with the Mesa Dual Rectifier replacing the Mark IIC+ for a thicker, more saturated character. The Crunch Lab pickup and Rectifier combination creates a tone that is simultaneously heavy enough for the album's aggressive mood and articulate enough for the technical passages.
Signal Chain
- 1Music Man JP6 (or Ibanez Universe, bridge humbucker)
- 2Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier (modern channel)
- 3Ibanez TS9 (light boost, modern channel push)
- 4TC Electronic G-Major (effects processor)
Amp Settings
Mesa Rectifier on the Modern channel — heavier and more saturated than the vintage channel. Slightly scooped mids versus the Mark IIC+ setup; the Rectifier's natural mid scoop is partially compensated by the TS9 boost. Maximum presence for the high-speed lead passages.
Technique
How to Play It
Three-guitar technique: lead melody, counterpoint, and rhythm — all played by Petrucci in the studio on overdubbed tracks. Live, only the primary voice is played. The sweep-picking arpeggios through the chord changes require one continuous motion across all six strings, each note articulated by the pick angling through the strings at a controlled arc.
Budget Alternative
Achievable With
High-output humbucker guitar + Mesa Dual Rectifier or similar (EVH 5150III, Peavey 6505) + TS9 light boost + delay and reverb from any multi-FX. The sweep-picking technique requires separate dedicated practice from the song itself.
Your Gear
Adapt to My Amp
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