Music Radar has published an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at Dream Theater guitarist John Petrucci's touring setup. An excerpt from the interview is available below.

Music Radar: If you could single out one musical principle that you believe leads to better guitar playing, what would it be?

Petrucci: “To me, it’s always been a sense of melody. I think it’s very important, because the melody is the place where you can really have a voice and you can really be unique. It’s a magical thing - you can conjure up all kinds of feelings, whether they are new, unique or familiar and recognisable, to evoke some kind of emotion. I think guitar players who have a strong sense of melody, a strong melodic focus, are always the ones that stand out. Steve Morse, David Gilmour, Tommy Emmanuel, Joe Satriani - you know, guys like that.”

Music Radar: Which musician has been most influential in shaping your approach to guitar?

Petrucci: “For me, it would be Steve Morse. The moment I heard him play I was not only blown away, but really, really inspired to want to do better, to expand my playing and my writing. Then I got to see him play live and eventually meet him, become friends and play with him on G3. He just never ceases to be an inspiration - a positive light as far as sticking with things, having a strong practice ethic, being your creative best, working hard as a musician, pursuing tone, pursuing the craft of guitar building with Music Man… All the things that he does have been really hugely influential to me.”

Go to this location for the complete interview and guitar rig photos.

Petrucci recently stopped by the Reverb studio to give Guitar World an inside look at his technical and creative approach to the whammy bar.