How to Dial In "In My Dreams" by Dokken - Guitar Tone Settings
The Gear Behind "In My Dreams"
- GuitarESP E-II EclipseModern equivalent - the original isn't named here
- AmpMarshall JCM800 2203
- EffectReverbThe unit isn't documented
Original Knob Positions, Pickup, and Tuning
Where to set the knobs for this tone. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale.
These numbers are for a Marshall JCM800 2203. On your amp, they won't sound the same.
Get the settings for my ampHow the artist had their guitar configured for this take.
George Lynch's melodic side rather than his aggressive one — the solo is built on wide intervals and sustained bends instead of the angular runs of 'Mr. Scary', and the rhythm part leaves a lot of room for Don Dokken's vocal. E flat standard, as with most of the band's catalogue. Recorded 1985 with Michael Wagener, whose mixes are bright and tightly controlled. Keep the gain lower than eighties metal instinct suggests: Lynch has always got his bite from pickups and picking rather than saturation, and the sustained notes here need the amp responsive enough to bloom rather than compress. Mids present, treble up, and leave the reverb modest.
Common Questions About the "In My Dreams" Tone
What guitar did Dokken use on "In My Dreams"?
Dokken recorded "In My Dreams" (released 1985) before the ESP E-II Eclipse came out; it is named above as a modern equivalent. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. The track is in E♭ Standard (E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭), so retune before you dial anything in.
What amp settings does "In My Dreams" need?
On Marshall JCM800 2203: Gain 6.5, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 7, Presence 6.5, Volume 7. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale; match them on your amp first, then nudge to taste. ToneMirror can translate these positions for whatever amp you actually own.
Can I play "In My Dreams" without a Marshall JCM800 2203?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the original recipe above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "In My Dreams" tone on a Katana, a Helix, a tube combo, or anything else. The translation accounts for EQ curve, gain structure, and pickup type so the result actually sounds like the record, not just the same knob numbers on different gear.
What effects are on "In My Dreams"?
The recording has reverb on it. No source names the unit behind it, so this page doesn't guess one. ToneMirror maps each effect onto your rig - a pedal you own, your amp's own controls, or a block on a modeler - and says plainly when your rig can't make one.
More Tones You Can Dial In
Tone references for "In My Dreams" by Dokken are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.