John PetrucciPedalboard, 2016
John Petrucci toured The Astonishing in 2016 with a five-loop switching system feeding a JP-2C: a rack Cry Baby wah, a TC HyperGravity compressor, a Keeley Red Dirt, a Helix phaser, a Uni-Vibe and two Dreamscapes, with an Axe-Fx II XL+ in the amp loop.
The Astonishing tour switching system
Order evidence: A source states the sequence
Inside the rig · 8 units
Pedal roles & evidence
How each unit fits John Petrucci's 2016 setup. Board-specific roles and the evidence behind each identification and position.
Source-described orderIdentity and position are evidenced separately. Reconstructed positions are not observed connections.
Filter & EQ
Dunlop Cry Baby Rack Wah
Front of amp
Role in this rig
Sits ahead of the switching system so the sweep always precedes the gain stages.
- Identity
- Documented
- Position
- Documented
Dynamics
TC Electronic HyperGravity Compressor
Switched loop
Role in this rig
First loop of the switcher, evening out the picking dynamics before any drive.
- Identity
- Documented
- Position
- Documented
Gain
Keeley Red Dirt Overdrive
Switched loop
Role in this rig
The single drive pedal in front of the amplifier, used to push solos.
- Identity
- Documented
- Position
- Documented
Modulation
TC Electronic Helix Phaser
Switched loop
Role in this rig
Supplies the phase sweep after the gain section.
- Identity
- Documented
- Position
- Documented
Modulation
Uni-Vibe pedal (model not specified)
Switched loop
Role in this rig
Adds the throbbing vibe texture used on clean and lead passages.
The source lists a Uni-Vibe pedal in loop 4 without naming a manufacturer or model.
- Identity
- Reconstructed
- Position
- Documented
Modulation
TC Electronic Dreamscape
Switched loop
Role in this rig
First of two daisy-chained Dreamscapes providing the layered modulation voices.
- Identity
- Documented
- Position
- Documented
Modulation
TC Electronic Dreamscape
Switched loop
Role in this rig
Holds a second modulation preset so two voices are available without reprogramming.
- Identity
- Documented
- Position
- Documented
Multi-effects & Modeling
Fractal Audio Axe-Fx II XL+
Amp loop
Role in this rig
Sits in the amplifier's effects loop, supplying delays and reverbs after the preamp.
- Identity
- Documented
- Position
- Documented
Documented equipment · Documented order · Switchable effects loops
Guitarist's interview, published by MusicRadar, sets out the split acoustic and magnetic paths and names the contents of each of the five loops in the RJM Mini Effects Gizmo, which is the order followed here. Gear Gods separately reports a rundown filmed by TC Electronic with Petrucci's technician covering the same TC-centred board, and confirms the rig was documented by the tech in this period, though its text names no models. The Framptone A/B box, RJM Tone Saver splitter, loop switcher, MasterMind controller, tuner, volume pedal, power supply and the piezo path are omitted as routing, control and utility devices. The Uni-Vibe unit in loop 4 is named only by effect, not by maker.
Cited sources
MethodologyQuestions about John Petrucci's 2016 pedalboard
- What pedals did John Petrucci use in 2016?
- This dated entry lists 8 units: Dunlop Cry Baby Rack Wah, TC Electronic HyperGravity Compressor, Keeley Red Dirt Overdrive, TC Electronic Helix Phaser, Uni-Vibe pedal (model not specified), TC Electronic Dreamscape, TC Electronic Dreamscape, Fractal Audio Axe-Fx II XL+. This is the recorded inventory, not a claim that every connection or model identification is confirmed; see the evidence and routing notes.
- What order were John Petrucci's pedals in?
- A cited source states the order. See the diagram and routing notes for the separate paths and any unconfirmed connections.
- Is this John Petrucci's full guitar rig?
- No. This dated entry covers 8 units in the effects path, not every piece of gear John Petrucci owned or used. Floor pedals, rack units and routing devices are included only where recorded; omitted equipment and uncertain connections are explained in the notes. It is not a complete or current rig inventory.
- When and where was this pedalboard used?
- The Astonishing tour, documented June 2016. European tour rig. This is the rig documented for that touring period, not a career-wide gear list.
- How does the archive know what was on this pedalboard?
- 2 cited sources, listed above with the date each was read, including MusicRadar, Gear Gods. Among them an interview and a written article. The units are recorded as documented equipment, and the page was last audited on 2026-08-09.