Tone library / Journey / Don't Stop Believin' (2024 Remaster)

Don't Stop Believin' (2024 Remaster) amp settings — hiwatt g15

The Journey guitar tone for “Don't Stop Believin' (2024 Remaster)”, dialed in for a hiwatt g15 with a Ibanez GIO GRG170DX. Studio version (2024 Remaster), Escape (1981) — iconic soaring bridge lead & power chord crunch

Original rig

Neal Schon: modified 1970s Gibson Les Paul Pro Deluxe with humbuckers into cranked Marshall Super Lead / JCM800 2203 with Boss OD boost and studio digital delay

Singing, mid-focused British tube saturation with smooth sustain and tight low end

Amp settings — hiwatt g15

CHANNELOverdrive channel (OD switch engaged)BOOSToff

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	7
Bass	5
Mid	7
Treble	6
Master	5

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE8 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Analog / Digital Delay (e.g., Boss DD-3 or DD-8)

RECOMMENDED — not owned (set to ~380ms for Schon's expansive solo sustain)

E.Level 4 · F.Back 4 · D.Time 5

Why these settings

The Hiwatt G15 is a solid-state 15W practice amp with a 3-band EQ and no onboard reverb or presence knobs. To mimic Neal Schon's singing Marshall midrange crunch without getting harsh on an 8-inch solid-state speaker, boost mids to 7 and round off the high end by setting the guitar tone knob to 8. Engaging the G15's overdrive channel with gain at 7 delivers the necessary sustain while keeping notes articulate.

PRO TIPDig into the string attack with the edge of a heavy pick slightly angled, and apply wide, fast vibrato on held notes to achieve Neal Schon's signature vocal-like singing lead sustain.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a hiwatt g15. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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Song, artist and gear names are used to identify the tone being matched; ToneAdapt is not affiliated with or endorsed by the artists or manufacturers mentioned. Settings are AI-generated starting points — trust your ears.