How to Dial In "Opus Pocus" by Jason Becker - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Opus Pocus"
Suggested rig · the original isn't documented.
Knob Positions, Pickup, and Tuning
Where to set the knobs for this tone. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale.
On your amp, these numbers won't sound the same.
Get the settings for my ampHow the artist had their guitar configured for this take.
From Perpetual Burn (1988). Becker's first solo album, recorded in 1988 at Prairie Sun Recording Studios in Cotati, California and produced by Becker with Marty Friedman, Steve Fontano and Mike Varney for Shrapnel. It is an instrumental. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Jackson American Series Soloist SL3 through a Marshall JCM800 2203, the nearest rig to the one Jason Becker is documented with, stands in. Set the amp to a driven crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Opus Pocus" Tone
What guitar did Jason Becker use on "Opus Pocus"?
The guitar on "Opus Pocus" (released 1988) isn't documented; the Jackson American Series Soloist SL3 above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Opus Pocus" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 7, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 7, Presence 7, Volume 8. 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 "Opus Pocus" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Opus Pocus" 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.
More Tones You Can Dial In
Tone references for "Opus Pocus" by Jason Becker are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.