Song Rig

Scarified

Paul Gilbert · Street Lethal · 1986

Tone Overview

What Makes This Sound Unique

Younger, rawer, and slightly less refined than Technical Difficulties — the gain is more compressed and the pick attack slightly harder. Paul was 19 here, and the hunger in the playing translates directly into the tone: saturated, aggressive, and relentless.

Signal Chain

1Ibanez Roadstar II (superstrat with hot humbuckers)
2Marshall JCM800 (higher gain setting)
3BBE Sonic Maximizer (brightness enhancement)
4Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor

Amp Settings

Gain / Volume10

Bass6

Mid5

Treble8

Presence8

Maximum gain, high presence, scooped mids — the most aggressive version of the shred template. The BBE Sonic Maximizer adds top-end crispness that keeps fast runs intelligible at extreme gain.

Technique

How to Play It

String-skipping runs paired with economy picking — Scarified predates some of Paul's more systematic technique development, so there's a hybrid of strict alternate and economy picking depending on the phrase.

Budget Alternative

Achievable With

Superstrat with hot humbuckers → Boss Metal Zone (MT-2) with external EQ for mid-scoop → noise gate. Very similar to Technical Difficulties but with more compression and slightly less pick clarity.

Your Gear