GuitarCleanSolo
Tender Surrender Solo Guitar Tone Settings — Steve Vai
Steve Vai · 1990s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Ibanez JEM7V
Pickups
DiMarzio Evolution (HSH configuration, likely neck or split position for clean)
Amp
Carvin Legacy VL100
Pickup Position
Neck pickup (DiMarzio Evolution), possibly split for single-coil sound
Studio recording, 1995-1996 (Fire Garden sessions). Vai is known to use the JEM7V with DiMarzio Evolution pickups and Carvin Legacy amp for this era. Clean sections likely use neck or neck+middle split. No evidence of live rig or alternate gear for the studio clean part.
Amp Settings
Mids6.5
Bass5.5
Gain0
Reverb4
Treble7
Presence7
Effects Chain
- Compressor pedal (model unknown, likely studio rack or Keeley Compressor Plus) · compression
Ibanez JEM7V → Compressor pedal (studio rack or Keeley Compressor Plus) → Carvin Legacy VL100 (clean channel, digital reverb on amp or in studio mix)
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Tone Character
- glassy and pristine
- warm and smooth
- crystal clear articulation
- lush reverb tail
- slightly scooped mids
- touch-sensitive dynamics
- studio-polished clarity
- no audible breakup
- subtle compression
- full-bodied clean