Song Rig

Tornado of Souls

Marty Friedman · Rust in Peace · 1990

Tone Overview

What Makes This Sound Unique

Widely regarded as one of the greatest guitar solos ever recorded — the tone is uniquely expressive for a thrash metal context, with an almost Eastern melodic character. The Jackson into the Mesa Boogie produces a cutting, harmonically complex lead tone that sits above the dense thrash rhythm without sounding brittle.

Signal Chain

1Jackson DK2 Dinky (pink camo, DiMarzio pickups)
2Mesa Boogie Mark II C+ (lead channel)
3Marshall 1960A cabinet
4TC Electronic Chorus (subtle, stereo spread)

Amp Settings

Gain / Volume8

Bass6

Mid7

Treble7

Presence7

The Mesa Mark II provides a tighter, more focused high-gain tone than a Marshall — the midrange is present enough for lead articulation without the muddiness that affects British-style amps at thrash tempos.

Technique

How to Play It

Marty's vibrato is the signature element — wider and more operatic than most metal guitarists, influenced by Eastern scales and non-Western music. Each sustained note in the solo is shaped by vibrato that varies in speed and depth.

Budget Alternative

Achievable With

Superstrat or Jackson → Mesa Boogie or Peavey 6505 for tight high-gain → subtle chorus for solo width. The key differentiator is expressive vibrato; the gear is secondary.

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