GuitarDistortedRiff
Livin' On a Prayer Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi · 1980s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Kramer Jersey Star
Pickups
Seymour Duncan JB bridge humbucker (exact pickup on Kramer Jersey Star)
Amp
Marshall JCM800 (studio recording, 1986)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording for 'Slippery When Wet' (1986). Richie Sambora used a Kramer Jersey Star with a bridge humbucker into a Marshall JCM800. The riff section is famous for its use of a talk box. Effects are mostly pedal-based; no evidence of amp-based reverb or delay in the riff section.
Amp Settings
Mids6
Bass6
Gain7
Reverb2.5
Treble7
Presence6
Effects Chain
- Framptone Talkbox · other
- Boss DS-1 Distortion · distortion
- Electro-Harmonix Small Clone Chorus · chorus
Kramer Jersey Star (bridge pickup) → Boss DS-1 Distortion → Framptone Talkbox → Electro-Harmonix Small Clone Chorus → Marshall JCM800
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Tone Character
- crunchy and mid-forward
- tight, punchy attack
- distinct talk box vocal effect
- chorus shimmer and width
- articulate, focused bridge pickup sound
- arena rock presence
- modulation adds spaciousness
- not overly saturated, retains clarity
- percussive, palm-muted riffing
- classic 80s hard rock rhythm