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Suede·Social·Issue No. 20
Tone recipes·2026 · JUL
Metal1990

01Megadeth

Tornado of Souls

Exotic-scale lead with a singing midrange and lots of sustain — Friedman's signature mix of Japanese folk modes and shred technique. Jackson Soloist into a modified Marshall, with the gain set high but not extreme. Notes ring through with vibrato that's wider and slower than standard shred vibrato. The whammy bar gets used as a melodic instrument, not just for divebombs.

02Signal chain

Guitar to amp, 2 pedals between.

  1. In
    Guitar

    Jackson Custom Soloist (Friedman signature, kahler trem)

  2. 01
    Quarter-note delay for lead phrases to bloom
    Boss DD-3 Digital Delay

    Time: ~450ms, Feedback: 25%, Mix: 30%

  3. 02
    Front-end boost
    Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer

    Drive: 10 o'clock, Tone: 11 o'clock, Level: 1 o'clock

  4. Out
    Amp

    Modified Marshall JCM800

03Field note

The secret sauce

Friedman's vibrato is what sells the tone — wider and slower than other shred-era players. He bends UP into a note, not just to it. Tone alone won't replicate his solos.