GuitarDistortedSolo80% confidence
The Crying Machine Solo Guitar Tone Settings — Steve Vai
Steve Vai · 1990s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Ibanez JEM777
Pickups
DiMarzio Evolution (HSH configuration, bridge humbucker for solo)
Amp
Carvin X100B
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1996 (Fire Garden album). Gear confirmed for this era and song by multiple sources. Vai is known to use the bridge humbucker for solos on the JEM. No evidence of live rig or alternate guitars for this studio solo.
Amp Settings
Mids6.5
Bass6
Gain7.5
Reverb3
Treble7
Presence6.5
Effects Chain
- Morley Bad Horsie 2 Contour Wah · wah
- Ibanez Jemini Distortion · distortion
- Boss DD-7 Digital Delay · delay
Ibanez JEM777 (bridge pickup) → Morley Bad Horsie 2 Wah → Ibanez Jemini Distortion → Boss DD-7 Delay (in effects loop) → Carvin X100B amp (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.
Adapt to MY Gear →7-day free trial · Cancel anytime.
Tone Character
- singing sustain
- fluid legato runs
- expressive wah sweeps
- crystal-clear articulation
- tight low end
- cutting upper mids
- harmonic overtones
- dynamic pick attack
- rich delay trails
- modern shred lead tone
Notes & Caveats
- No direct numeric amp settings for 'The Crying Machine' solo found; settings estimated based on Carvin X100B typical usage for Vai in 1990s and genre.
- Pedal models inferred from era-correct pedalboard and clear audibility in solo; no studio session sheet found.
- Delay and wah are clearly audible in the solo; delay pedal model inferred from Vai's known use of Boss DD-series and Ibanez Jemini for distortion.
- No evidence of chorus, flanger, or phaser in this solo section.
- Amp reverb is present but at a subtle level; no evidence of heavy reverb or modulation from amp.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Steve Vai's solo tone on 'The Crying Machine' is high-gain but smooth, with forward mids for note clarity, tight but not boomy lows, and enough treble/presence for articulation. The era (late 90s) and Vai's typical use of Carvin Legacy amps point to these settings, with subtle reverb for space but not wash.