GuitarDistortedSolo80% confidence
Is This Love (2018 Remaster) Guitar Tone Settings — Whitesnake
Whitesnake · 1980s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Ibanez JEM777 (Steve Vai Signature, likely used by John Sykes for solo work on 1987 album sessions)
Pickups
DiMarzio PAF Pro humbuckers
Amp
Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ Head
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1986-1987 sessions for Whitesnake's self-titled album (2018 Remaster is a remaster of these sessions). John Sykes is credited for the solo. Gear inferred from Equipboard and era-specific interviews. No direct studio photo for this solo, but all evidence points to this setup for the solo section.
Amp Settings
Mids6.5
Bass6
Gain7.5
Reverb3.5
Treble7
Presence6.5
Effects Chain
- Chorus pedal (model unknown, likely Boss CE-3 or rack chorus) · chorus
- Delay pedal or rack unit (model unknown) · delay
Ibanez JEM777 → Chorus pedal → Delay pedal/rack → Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ Head (with spring reverb)
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Tone Character
- singing sustain
- smooth and melodic
- lush modulation
- rich midrange
- slightly compressed
- clear articulation
- warm upper mids
- not overly saturated
- touch-sensitive
- chorused lead
Notes & Caveats
- No direct studio photo or interview confirming exact pedal models for the solo, but chorus is clearly audible and widely discussed in forums.
- Amp and guitar inferred from Equipboard and era-correct interviews; settings estimated based on typical Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ usage for 1980s melodic rock solos.
- Pickup model inferred from typical Ibanez JEM777 configuration and John Sykes' known gear for the album.
- Chorus effect is universally agreed upon in forums but specific pedal model is not confirmed.
- Delay is audible in the solo but the exact pedal or rack unit is not confirmed; settings are estimated based on 1980s studio practices.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. John Sykes' solo tone on 'Is This Love' is a classic late-80s high-gain, mid-forward, singing lead sound typical of a hot-modded Marshall or Soldano, with tight lows, pronounced mids, and smooth but present highs. The reverb is subtle, likely added in post-production for space without washing out the attack.