GuitarDistortedSolo
For the Love of God Solo Guitar Tone Settings — Steve Vai
Steve Vai · 1990s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Ibanez JEM77FP (Floral Pattern, original 1987-1990 production, used on Passion and Warfare studio recording)
Pickups
DiMarzio PAF Pro (neck and bridge humbuckers, single-coil middle)
Amp
Carvin X-100B (studio recording, 1990; NOT the later Carvin Legacy signature amp)
Pickup Position
Neck pickup
Studio recording, 1989-1990 for 'Passion and Warfare'. Vai used his Ibanez JEM77FP with DiMarzio PAF Pro pickups into a Carvin X-100B head and 4x12 cab. Effects were primarily rack-based but emulated here with pedals for clarity. Settings and effects are for the SOLO section (distorted, singing lead).
Amp Settings
Mids6.5
Bass7
Gain7.5
Reverb4.5
Treble7
Presence6
Effects Chain
- Dunlop Cry Baby Wah · wah
- MXR Phase 90 (or similar phaser) · phaser
- Boss DS-1 Distortion · distortion
- Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer · overdrive
- Boss CE-2 Chorus (or similar chorus) · chorus
- Boss DD-2 Digital Delay (or similar digital delay) · delay
Ibanez JEM77FP → Dunlop Cry Baby Wah → MXR Phase 90 → Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer (gain 0, level max) → Boss DS-1 Distortion → Boss CE-2 Chorus → Boss DD-2 Digital Delay → Carvin X-100B amp (hall reverb on)
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Tone Character
- singing sustain
- smooth and saturated
- warm neck pickup tone
- fluid legato articulation
- expressive vibrato
- subtle chorus shimmer
- spacious and ambient
- precise digital delay repeats
- rich midrange
- high-gain clarity