Rig Rundown - Dream Theater [2019]

The progressive metal band’s sultans of shred talk about the gear on their 2019 The Distance Over Time tour, including John Petrucci’s brand-new Music Man Majesty Series signature models and Myung’s potential 2020 signature bass.
Get the Gear: bit.ly/DreamTheaterRR
Don't Miss a Rundown: bit.ly/RIgRundownENL
Dream Theater’s The Distance Over Time Tour is nirvana for the band’s fans, who are devout. It’s a three-hour sonic journey through the new The Distance Over Time album, a selection of fan favorites, and the entire Metropolis Pt. 2 Scenes from a Memory, which is being played in full to mark the 20th anniversary of its release.
We met with Petrucci, Myung, and chief axe tech Maddi Schieferstein onstage at Nashville’s Tennessee Performing Arts Center before a soundcheck for the band’s sold-out April 17 concert. The video covers everything-and the still photos provide a closer look at Petrucci’s new-for-2019 signature models, Myung’s bass, effects, amps and more.
And yes, I know I said “speakers” instead of “pickups” and “alder” rather than “ash” early in the video. Send coffee and hate mail in care of the magazine. Or just troll me in the video’s comments section, for your convenience. But more important, dig into this supercool Rig Rundown.
D'Addario Auto Lock Guitar Strap: ddar.io/AutoLockStrap
The latest and most primo entry in John Petrucci’s signature line of Ernie Ball Music Man Majesty guitars is the Tiger Eye Limited. As its name implies, only 300 total 6-string and 7-string models were built. The headstock, the bulk of the neck, and main body are all one piece of mahogany, with alder sides. “That’s where you get all the meat and sustain, and the alder shapes the sound,” Petrucci explains. There’s also a tiger-stripe maple top, and the same pattern is in the wood on the back of the 3-piece neck and the headstock.
All the Majesties come with DiMarzio pickups that Petrucci helped design. The Dreamcatcher, in the bridge, is built for a bold, aggressive, and tight sound, and the guitarist jokes he named the neck pickup the Rainmaker “because it makes people cry when you solo on it.” There’s a 3-way toggle and, as with all of his previous Majesty models, a piezo bridge (with tone and volume control) with a floating tremolo tail. There’s also coil-splitting and a 20 dB boost on the volume control, plus a built-in preamp to combat tone degradation with long cables, should they become necessary.

[@premierguitar]

Get the Gear: bit.ly/DreamTheaterRR Don't Miss a Rundown: bit.ly/RIgRundownENL

[@joshuaquery6382]

Ted is the WORST interviewer you've EVER had!!!! I have never made it through a single video of his (including NAMM videos). Keep him confined to the office. Also, hit up Dirks, and double her salary. We NEED her! Ted has that "shyster/creepy uncle" vibe. PLEASE never let him in front of the camera, again. He ruins it, for all of us..... -JQ

[@graysonmichael9696]

Interviewer - "ok well thank you for being with us" John Myung - "Ok thanks" *walks into a portal and vanishes*

[@joelflmartinho]

He's probably thinking: I could be practicing instead of this :)

[@yigitatli]

I think he's actually not there, he's just commuting through some astral space :)

[@noahbenson585]

“This is a neck thru,” *flips it over* “-- this is a bolt on”

[@AbeldeBetancourt]

Ha! You cracked me up, man

[@shannonargentina]

in 31:30, Myung keeps talking, and moving his fingers automatically over the bass, without even thinking about it... amazing

[@someoneelse101]

He also beats the crap out of the strings

[@ryanbobadilla2527]

This man needs to do all the interviews, he really let's the artist speak and explain their gear.

[@StreetsleeperUK]

I like this guy. Doesn’t talk over the person he’s trying to interview

[@anthonyitzie4652]

Lee Barker i

[@WillWright-lx4hf]

Its pretty easy to not talk over John Myung lol

[@snapascrew]

Instead they never let him interview anyone again. 😂

[@Dejoblue]

The DAddario ad wasn't loud enough, my speakers still work!

[@nuclearwinter514]

I love everything about this video. But I'm now convinced that John Myung is an alien haha. I could only wish I had his skill.

[@bernhardtsen74]

according to Trump, Illegal alien!

[@thedaver8]

his bass even looks like a spaceship. lol

[@MisterTee]

Some say that if you eat the brains you acquire the knowledge

[@someoneelse101]

I play both bass and guitar (mostly guitar) and wish I had the skills they both have

[@dannybaxter4710]

@@bernhardtsen74 What a hateful, stupid comment.

[@AlexTheGreat1993]

3:20 he really just called the pick ups speakers

[@PoodlePuncher]

I had a WTF moment, and had to rewind to make sure i heard that right... LOL

[@altierianthony01]

The interviewer is an idiot

[@Henry0870]

@@altierianthony01 Where's Ace Ventura when we need him......

[@MrLennonson]

I miss Rebecca dirks...

[@caesarkenyon9870]

Shut up. Those are highly wound speakers. Im happy to know seymour duncan make speakers now. Not pick ups.

[@sadbassist9651]

Oh my yes, Cant wait for my own 2020 signature model Bongo

[@sonic-dna7742]

Dream Theater bassist stops by and hardly anyone notices?!? Hi John! You're AMAZING!

[@graxjpg]

Is it coming out or what?

[@sadbassist9651]

@@matteo-nf1kv found that out along time ago

[@sadbassist9651]

@@matteo-nf1kv found that out too

[@sadbassist9651]

@@matteo-nf1kv oh sorry i was being lame, i didnt really intend on people expecting it to be real, i was just one of those people who had a profile with the name of someone

[@ChadAnthonyTheReaper]

Love Petrucci. Always such a soft spoken humble guy.

[@einbertalstein9611]

I totally agree! What a legend when it comes to guitar playing and such a pleasant guy!

[@kacamataade7059]

You can tell that even when during the interview, JM always practicing.

[@FlankinspanK]

"Can we hear it a lil bit?".....(Myungs bass rips interviewer face clean off) ....."Cool."

[@Meypelnek]

John Petrucci, still one of my favourite Guitar Heroes, but certainly my favourite EBMM Sales Rep.

[@joebrooks3638]

Ninja Myung doesnt speak in interviews, he speaks when he plays😈

[@tanweermahdihasan4119]

Even while being interviewed, John Myung was warming up running his fingers over fretboard. That's the extent of devotion in pursuit of perfection (which he attained long time back though).

[@bassplayer2011ify]

It's one thing to get there. It's another to stay.

[@ShredHeadJHJ]

These D'Addario Auto Lock Straps are awesome. I can't believe it took them so long to come up with something like this!!!

[@cydeveas]

Oh my god JM talked for more than 2 minutes

[@JoshCastleTCM]

He looked awkward doing so.

[@Kanjo16]

Please don't let him see this. He'll never do it again if he does.

[@shahin75pf97]

why is the interviewer dressed like Marty Schwartz😂

[@polidevi535]

Yup!

[@Thurston86]

Hahahahaha 🤘👽

[@Locoandchooch]

I bet their bus is really quiet

[@Pure_KodiakWILD_Power]

except for the sounds of instruments and music being played at respectfully low volumes 🤣 and maybe some _fortnite_ being played...

[@CarlosKTCosta]

JM avoiding mentioning other Bass brands like Neo with bullets lololol

[@Dinozzo1995]

Yeah, same with Petrucci. Petrucci has got to the point of saying that his lead tone in images and words was just a regular lead tone in a certain interview, just so that he could avoid going into detail and mentioning ibanez. Endorsing a brand is one thing, but going so far as to not mentioning what has made you succesful in the past is lame to say the least. I think their contract literally does not allow them to do it.

[@alejandrocisneros7442]

@@Dinozzo1995 I doubt it. I think he's still butthurt that ibanez wouldn't let him modify what he really wanted. Sad really cause that was his best tone! His new tone is shitty and generic metal.

[@Dinozzo1995]

@@alejandrocisneros7442 I've seen it multiple times in interviews. It was very obvious he was uncomfortable and trying to evade the subject when he was supposed to talk about ibanez. Petrucci has become a bit of a salesman nowadays next to a musician and is very much into endorsing Musicman.

[@DavideAnastasia]

@@alejandrocisneros7442 Tone with Ibanez was great. But his best was with a JP6 in Six Degrees, in my opinion (and overall mix of the album was outstanding).

[@t3hgir]

@@DavideAnastasia 6DOIT, DT's magnum opus imo

[@AntilifeHorde]

Jon neglects addressing the kill zone mode switch, which allows him to play 1000000000000000000 notes thus eradicating entire arenas.

[@mariamolly3637]

WORLD DOMINATION MDDE

[@jamesfurr3346]

Waiting for the JP signature beard oil “Majestic Whiskers” 😂

[@jonask.762]

I would be into that tbh😂

[@jaredklock8754]

I need that in my life.

[@vicenteeeeeeeeee]

hey.

[@JuanEsquivel-ex8nv]

Aye can you tell me the next lottery numbers?

[@bassface1246]

They all have such amazing personalities

[@timesink8947]

John Petrucci scoops the mids, oh god, my heart is broken.

[@kennhern]

Mesa amps got tons of mids that almost all users know to back it down a lot

[@bassplayer2011ify]

The default eq setting on Boogie Marks is scooped mids. Any time you see a mark head in these videos the mids are all the way down.

[@MR3DDev]

The rainmaker ys because of all the tears when you see the price of this guitar.

[@bernardsianipar4755]

Hahaha 😂😂 LoL

[@Elevenbravo_ABN]

Ballpark?

[@MR3DDev]

@@Elevenbravo_ABN Yeah it costs as much as a ballpark.

[@Elevenbravo_ABN]

@@MR3DDev Lol. I was asking for an approximate price. Is it more than three grand?

[@MR3DDev]

@@Elevenbravo_ABN probably more like 4500

[@anahowana]

Kudos and respect for the interviewer, he gives enough room so that John explains every detail.

[@Diax1324]

Someone at PG has a serious sense of humor. Send this super mellow interviewer to Eric Johnson, okay maybe a coincidence. To John Petrucci and John Myung? Absolute mad lad. 31:16 after killer little bass riff "...Cool..." "Uhhhhhhhh..." This is the most perfectly awkward thing I've ever seen

[@noahculp9900]

The guy literally said "cool" the same way you say "that's great" sarcastically when you spill coffee on your lap.

[@TheJasonEstes]

You think this is awkward, watch the one they did with NIN a while back...

[@zachtheguitarmaniac]

I totally agree! It's so painful to watch and almost like he isn't even interested

[@CursedInEternity92]

Maybe hes human and isnt a machine that can just jump when told at any moment. Maybe he doesent like dream theatre and its just a job for him. The info is all that matters, i dont need these guusbto be friends just run down the rig.

[@TheZooropaBaby]

I like Ted, he seems to cover more prog/avant bands and its always great, I like him

[@panameraboomin7925]

Been waiting for this gem right here

[@MirkoFadda]

The tone on the new album is just outstanding, as good as the golden days of SFAM or SDOIT, my personal favorites in terms of guitar tone. Truly awesome video from the Master ad PG. Cheers! :D

[@JamesRussoMillas]

Agreed. S2N is an amazing example like his solo tone

[@SteveKaynan]

Yes I agree and also noticed that he might have turned up mids just a little bit which sounds awesome!

[@Kanjo16]

I wish Rebecca Dirks was still doing these. She inquired all the way down to string sizes and picks.

[@jacobynt6851]

She got so much unwarranted hate in the comments, im guessing that's part of the reason

[@JotaMcCready]

Why she is not doing these videos?

[@sbeqstion]

@@JotaMcCready she got tired of virgins making fucked up comments about how she looked

[@MisterTee]

mr shred I also think her getting married, moving and having a new family may have been a factor

[@sbeqstion]

@@MisterTee yea that too

[@robertp1651]

20:13 I see the the piezo going into a Palmer Line ISO transformer. This box is the key to keeping ground loops between the front of the house and Guitar Rig. Just thought I would note that for all you gear heads like myself. Great Video Thanks for posting.

[@iganpparamarta8813]

It's a good decision of JP to join EB. I can't imagine him redesigning the classic RG body to make his own JPM lines. EB is lucky to have JP too, despite the high price tag that guitars are selling like popcorn.

[@RichardFriendartist]

amazing thank you!!

[@JulesFox]

Push-push pots are the bomb :) John is seriously the best promoter of his gear.. wonderful stuff. He's such a pro.

[@adiohead]

I fitted a push-push pot on my Gibson Midtown Custom for an OoP sound.

[@kennhern]

Finally, a PG rig rundown of DT gear with the artist themselves!

[@DavidOakesMusic]

Agreed. I hate it when the tech does it and he obvs couldnt give two f--s.

[@kennhern]

@@DavidOakesMusic In fairness to Maddi, he knows his stuff. He now builds the rig of both of the Johns.

[@widowmaker5544]

it was great for the John's to talk a bit about the gear then have Matt fill in the more trickier parts

[@DragonCrestPC]

Awesome! Just got done playing my JP2C too.

[@ATS3788]

I bought in the last weeks 8 DT CD's. What a great Band

[@JakeTerch]

l already know this will be my favorite Rig Rundown!

[@Darkman24]

34:32 "Whacks them off a little bit" LOL Great stuff though! Love their Gear.

[@andrewpappas9311]

I swear that Petrucci's beard makes him look like the metal Jesus or whatever, plus his guitars are really damn nice as well

[@xguitar123]

Dream Theater is simply Amazing

[@prsplayer210]

Sick rigs, love John's bass

[@jonathanarleys]

Thanks John and Matt, You guys inspire me to create cheaper versions of this rig... Lovely...

[@MrPiotruz]

New 37 minutes video with GOD Petrucci omg! awesome

[@michaeleaster1815]

Clicked immediately and now I'm first... what a day.... thanks as always for great stuff

[@SteveKaynan]

Wow great video of John!!

[@joseph_lacy]

I saw them live in Dallas. They sounded absolutely incredible

[@PachankaDunk]

John Myung bass sound is so perfect even if caught by the intercom

[@geoffreynedelcu9400]

John Petrucci is actually super chill

[@anthonypinto9244]

JP is the most skilled and humble shredder in history. I true guitar hero

[@chriskrausesmovie]

cool...john plays..cool..wow what a great interview

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

Fun fact: Petrucci played Ibanez guitars for long time before Ernie Ball gave him paid endorsement.

[@serazac25]

Finally a John Myung Signature Bongo! Hope it comes in Silver and Purple like in his old Yamaha's

[@HansAaraas]

Love it

[@Blueshirt38]

John Myung is the reason I grew to love Music Man. Dream Theater is my favorite band (a phrase that I do not use lightly), and Myung is probably my favorite bassist playing today. He makes so much more of a noticeable difference than other bassists in his position, and he doesn't just do it by playing louder or faster. His composition within the songs and his tone really hit me.

[@ClownTrader1]

Is that a "bongo" bass? Uh, no, it's uh, wood... and it has pickups...

[@chriskrausesmovie]

there speakers not pickups ok..geez

[@TheRichie213]

John is so humble!

[@jaredklock8754]

Also, John Myung is very humble, to bad I didn't get to meet him after the Atlanta show, like I did with the other guys in Dream Theater.

[@XMattingly]

*”And when I go like this, I go into world domination mode”*

[@Cody_Wan_Kenobi]

Can you guys do Haken? That's a rig rundown that way overdue.

[@SteveBrule982]

best signature guitar of all time

[@ryner5171]

my dream guitar 'MAJESTY'

[@imo2834]

John Myung can make anyone have an unconfortable conversation!!!

[@gabrielwalker4411]

How?

[@chris_bern]

He's so lovable

[@louie9373]

I want to be at the point in my career where I can correct the people interviewing me and they apologize for being wrong.

[@rogercardenas111]

This is every guitar nerd and dream theater fanatic's wet dream.

[@yawarmukhtar4578]

More of BARITONES please, perfect scale length, I loved the volume boost function

[@Wanshankupardiengdoh]

Petrucci an untethered Angel fr

[@mateusfialho5516]

Parabens pelo trabalho,muito bom os vídeos aprendo muito, se não for pedir demais sera que poderia ter legendas em português? Abraços do Brasil 🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷

[@greg4272]

How do you program volume levels into the patches? You got the Mesa amps and the AxeFx is just paralel in the send/return loop. So when a patch is made, it has a volume level set by the pots on the amp. But how do you make volume level adjustments if needed for different songs, for different rooms? One more question please: Is there any buffer at the front of the magnetic signal chain? In the video you say it hits firts the crybaby... ?

[@MrMystery666]

Greg drop/boost the volume between pre amp and power amp will reduce the volume going into the power amp. I imagine it’s sort of a virtual volume pedal in the patch.

[@FezMan94]

John Petrucci's beard is glorious and makes me feel inadequate for my lack facial adornment.

[@MarkLumsley]

Poor Myung haha. You can tell he's just not into interviews! xD

[@Nghilifa]

Yeah. I think he prefers to let his bass do the "talking" 🤣

[@kennhern]

This may be the most lighting exposure he had on video. Mostly he prefers dark rooms and secluded places.

[@streather]

This is the longest I've ever heard JM talk for.

[@WillWright-lx4hf]

The interview sounds like the first character to die in a Martin Scorsese film

[@rohadtanyad8908]

i have been using push push pots for a long time. this is the first time i see one on a production guitar.

[@joebrooks3638]

EBMM Majesty are amazing "all in one" guitars!! Sadly I sold mine to custom build my Kiesel. I dont really regret it so much but I do miss it, JP thought of everything when it comes to a signature guitar.

[@asabovesobelow2299]

John Myung was so calm until he start playing his bass at 31:00 hahah

[@kennhern]

He was like "this is my rockin riff on the album"

[@asabovesobelow2299]

@@kennhern and actually, the first time we see it playing

[@DavidOakesMusic]

Was it just me or did his action seem super high and he looked like he was struggling a little ?? Maybe just nervous about getting all the attention.

[@kennhern]

@@DavidOakesMusic I noticed that too when he was playing Untethered Angel. He was a little sloppy and you could tell that he thought he could do better. Notice his fingers too, after

[@zurge278]

@@kennhern A bit strange considering how rigorous his practice regimen is don't you think? Maybe he just doesn't do well in front of cameras

[@JRP3music]

I use a TC Electronics Body Rez for my piezo signal and a Parametric EQ for boosting the weaker piezo signals. I use EBMM JP7 2008 Desert Gold with piezo and EBMM JP7 BFR XI with piezo. I also use a Fender Nashville Telecaster w/ piezo. For some reason the older Petrucci has a louder piezo.

[@JbfMusicGuitar]

31:02 really big and clear tone, nice!

[@Boomheyyou]

I just bought the Jp2c it’s coming today I’m excited to try the beast out

[@gab.gonzalez1988]

Do you guys know whats the wireless plug in that jp used in this video?

[@pedrosilvamusician]

Thats the most any human has ever heard John myung talk

[@yrebrac]

Can anyone identiy the mic used on that recto cab?

[@mgourlay4818]

Whats on the clip board? Been awhile since I have seen one. Classic. They sell these on Premier Guitar? Maybe next year they should be part of the Mystery Stocking.

[@ce002163]

Hi Guys , would like to know what is the purpose of the fractal effect being used in this setup

[@parkerohio6424]

That’s the most I have ever heard John Myung speak

[@BrandonBames]

Poor John, he DESPERATELY just wants somebody to geek out on all the thought and hard work he put into the design of this guitar, not just be impressed and overwhelmed like this guy, no fault of his own. I feel ya nerdy John; all I want in the world is for someone to play my custom guitar projects and notice all the nifty little tricks, but I mostly just get “plays nice dude” 👍

[@mikehorvath]

Could someone explain to me what JM said about the different tunings? Why does he use half step below or above tuning? And how does he use? I can't understand but I'm curious. Thanks in advance. :)

[@adhamhocaoimh]

Get really these tuning a are used to achieve different keys, because it may suit the singers range more. Obviously, they’re all such accomplished musicians they could play in whatever key they liked, but it generally helps to give a different timbre and makes playing slightly easier, which may help a great deal in a live context when so much is already on their minds.

[@carlmeiner]

Was here at 31.144 views, so way before this hit 1 million views

[@roberttripp6143]

Anyone know how he is using the wireless system, since there is only one input in the majesty. How is he using 2 wireless packs?

[@ArtGuitarLTX]

Can anyone tell me which song uses the Dynamic Wah? I can’t think one… maybe The Glass prison… but on this tour.. anyone know? 🤔🤔🤔

[@wolfwarren6376]

I really appreciate Petrucci's rig. It seems like a lot at first, but it really isn't too terribly huge compared to other guitarists playing venues of a similar size.

[@anahowana]

Very nice rig rundown, except that you forgot to pay attention to a nice and ultimate element: Furman! I wanted to know if it's a power conditioner or a voltage regulator and or maybe a model that does both fucntions ?

[@ozzyboi4138]

Interviewer:"can we hear a little bit?" JM: starts smacking the bass..

[@baconshreds1772]

When i saw the guitar rack, a revelation hit me... I will never own even one of those model guitars...

[@bennett93]

I can appreciate this interviewer, he did a fantastic job. There are other rig run downs where the interviewer really just seems to be in the way, but not here.

[@michaelhepburn4099]

I'm confused: if the neck is all mahogany from the headstock to the body, how is the neck flamed maple? Just when he said "to educate you". Or is it just that back veneer over the mahogany, between the black sides, that shows the flamed figure? Or just a middle flamed maple centre. Beautiful guitar, for definite! :)

[@RadityoPramAdi]

new John Myung sig models.... I'm waiting.

[@chrismorris6356]

I've got two of the 5 string models of the HH configuration, one signed by the band that I don't play anymore, but I'm intrigued by the signature one coming out.....next year though....

[@97warlock]

I thought he was strickly an Ibanez guy wow. omfg, This video was like, basically next level for information. John is such a laid back qwerky guy with great info & things to say. Can u imagine if John had been with Testament rather than Alex? wow

[@TrebleForTheBass]

JP knows more about guitars than their own builders

[@lucasyaksic1154]

john's beard has a beard. maestro!