GuitarDistortedRiff
Die to Live Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Steve Vai
Steve Vai · 1990s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Ibanez JEM7V
Pickups
DiMarzio Evolution (humbucker, bridge position for riff)
Amp
Carvin Legacy (VL100 or Legacy I head, studio recording)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1995 (Alien Love Secrets album). Steve Vai is confirmed to have used his Ibanez JEM7V with DiMarzio Evolution pickups and Carvin Legacy amp for this era and album. No evidence of Axe-FX or digital modelers in the studio for this track; effects added post or via pedals. Effects are mostly from pedals or rack, not amp.
Amp Settings
Mids7
Bass6
Gain7.5
Reverb2
Treble7
Presence6.5
Effects Chain
- Ibanez Jemini Distortion · distortion
- Morley Bad Horsie Wah · wah
- Delay pedal (model unknown) · delay
Ibanez JEM7V → Ibanez Jemini Distortion → Morley Bad Horsie Wah (for accents) → Delay pedal (short delay) → Carvin Legacy amp (spring reverb)
Tone Matcher
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Tone Character
- tight and articulate
- high-gain saturation
- percussive attack
- clear note separation
- aggressive bridge pickup sound
- singing sustain
- slightly compressed
- crisp top end
- focused midrange
- modern rock/metal clarity
Sources
Tone Story / Why This Tone Works
studio