GuitarDistortedRiff
Tender Surrender Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Steve Vai
Steve Vai · 1990s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Ibanez JEM7V
Pickups
DiMarzio Evolution (HSH configuration, likely neck or neck+middle for riff)
Amp
Bogner Ecstasy 100A
Pickup Position
Neck pickup (DiMarzio Evolution neck humbucker)
Studio recording, 1995-1996 (Fire Garden sessions). Vai used the Bogner Ecstasy for the original studio recording of 'Tender Surrender' before switching to the Carvin Legacy for later works. No evidence of DS-1 or other distortion pedals used for this song in the studio.
Amp Settings
Mids7
Bass6.5
Gain7
Reverb3.5
Treble6.5
Presence6.5
Effects Chain
- Morley Bad Horsie Wah · wah
- Compressor pedal (model unknown) · compression
- Delay pedal (model unknown) · delay
Ibanez JEM7V → Morley Bad Horsie Wah → Compressor → Delay → Bogner Ecstasy 100A (spring reverb)
Tone Matcher
Match This Tone to Your Gear
Tell us your guitar and amp — we’ll calculate the exact settings translated to your specific rig.
7-day free trial · Cancel anytime.
Tone Character
- warm and smooth
- singing sustain
- touch-sensitive
- rich midrange
- slightly compressed
- clear note separation
- dynamic response
- not overly saturated
- mild breakup
- expressive phrasing