So you want to sound like John Petrucci? Here’s what you need:
Practice, practice, practice.
Because really, when it comes down to it, no similarities in your gear will ever get you close to sounding like a precision player like John Petrucci unless you have the chops.
Still, let’s you have the precision it takes to attempt to pull of a Dream Theatre song. What gear would you need to get something similar? Well, it all depends on the era, as the first John Petrucci pedalboards were much more bare bones and amp-centric than they are now. That is not to say that the amps during the 2012 Dramatic Tour of Events weren’t important to the sound, as that Mesa Boogie gear still contributes probably the most to the overall tone. It’s just that there are many more effects included compared to almost not having any in the early days.
So, what effects standout? Aside from the many tone-centric stompboxes, The Eddie Van Halen Flanger is one of the most iconic effect pedals. Another interesting addition is the Dunlop rack wah with foot controller. The Boss Phase Shifter is another unmistakable effect.
Want more? Here’s the complete rundown of John Petrucci’s gear during this latest tour.
John Petrucci Pedalboard 2012
Dream Theatre’s Dramatic Tour of Events
John Petrucci Pedalboard Set 1
Brand | -- | Dunlop | Mark Snyder | Axess Electronics |
Pedal | -- | DCR-2SR Crybaby Rack Wah | Custom Rack Interface | Switch |
Type | -- | Modulation | ||
Notes | Analog Man Mod | |||
Alternative? | -- | Available New | ||
Image | -- | |||
Buy Online | -- | Musician's Friend Amazon Guitar Center | ||
INPUT | Axe-FX II | DCR-2SR Crybaby Rack Wah | Custom Rack Interface | Switch |
John Petrucci Pedalboard Set 2
Brand | Framptone | Ibanez | Analog Man | Ibanez |
Pedal | The Amp Switcher Footswitch White | TS9DX Turbo Tube Screamer | King of Tone | TS808 Vintage Tube Screamer |
Type | Other | Distortion | Distortion | |
Notes | Keeley Mod | |||
Alternative? | Available New | Available New | Available New | Available New |
Image | ||||
Buy Online | Musician's Friend Guitar Center | Musician's Friend Amazon Guitar Center American Musical Supply | Musician's Friend Amazon Guitar Center American Musical Supply |
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INPUT | The Amp Switcher Footswitch White | TS9DX Turbo Tube Screamer | King of Tone | TS808 Vintage Tube Screamer |
John Petrucci Pedalboard Set 3
Brand | Boss | MXR | Carl Martin | Furman |
Pedal | PH-3 Phase Shifter | EVH-117 Eddie Van Halen Flanger | Compressor/Limiter | AR Pro Power Conditioner |
Type | Modulation | Modulation | Dynamics | Other |
Notes | Analog Man Mod | |||
Alternative? | Available New | Available New | Available New | Available New |
Image | ||||
Buy Online | Musician's Friend Amazon Guitar Center | Musician's Friend Amazon Guitar Center American Musical Supply | Musician's Friend Amazon Guitar Center American Musical Supply | Musician's Friend Amazon Guitar Center American Musical Supply |
INPUT | PH-3 Phase Shifter | EVH-117 Eddie Van Halen Flanger | Compressor/Limiter | AR Pro Power Conditioner |
John Petrucci Pedalboard Set 4
Brand | Axess Electronics | Dunlop | Ernie Ball | Boss |
Pedal | MIDI Foot Controller | DCR-IFC Wah Rack Controller | Stereo/Pan Volume | TU-3 Chromatic Pedal Tuner |
Type | Modulation | Dynamics | Tuner | |
Notes | X2 | |||
Alternative? | Included in DCR-2SR Crybaby Rack Wah | Available New | Available New | |
Image | ||||
Buy Online | Musician's Friend Amazon Guitar Center | Musician's Friend Amazon | Musician's Friend Ama Guitar Center American Musical Supply |
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INPUT | MIDI Foot Controller | DCR-IFC Wah Rack Controller | Stereo/Pan Volume | TU-3 Chromatic Pedal Tuner |
John Petrucci 2012 Dream Theatre Tour Amps
Brand | Mesa Boogie | Custom Steel | Mesa Boogie | Mesa Boogie |
Pedal | Mark V | Diamond Plate Foot Rests with Buttkicker Drivers | Traditional Rectifier 4x12 Cabinets with Celestion Vintage 30 Speakers | Traditional Rectifier 2x12 Cabinets with Buttkicker Drivers |
Type | Amp | |||
Notes | X2 | X2 | X3 | X3 |
Alternative? | Available New | |||
Image | ||||
Buy Online | Amazon | |||
INPUT | Mark V | Diamond Plate Foot Rests with Buttkicker Drivers | Traditional Rectifier 4x12 Cabinets with Celestion Vintage 30 Speakers | Traditional Rectifier 2x12 Cabinets with Buttkicker Drivers |
John Petrucci 2012 Pedalboard, Amp and Gear Video
John Petrucci 2012 Pedalboard Sources
- Wikipedia