TonesMatch
This Ain't a Love Song — Bon Jovi1 / 2
Original RigYour Adaptation
GuitarDistortedSolo80% confidence

This Ain't a Love Song Solo Guitar Tone Settings — Bon Jovi

Bon Jovi · 1990s · rock

studio

Original Recording

Guitar
Fender Stratocaster (Richie Sambora Signature, likely with Floyd Rose and DiMarzio pickups)
Pickups
DiMarzio FS-1 single coil (bridge), DiMarzio PAF Pro (humbucker, neck/middle positions possible)
Amp
Marshall JCM800 2203 head with Marshall 4x12 cabinet (studio recording, 1995)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup (likely DiMarzio FS-1 single coil or bridge humbucker)

Studio recording, 1995. Gear inferred from era, artist interviews, and typical Sambora setup for the These Days album. No direct source confirms exact guitar/amp for this solo, but Strat with DiMarzio pickups and Marshall JCM800 is the consensus for this period.

Amp Settings

Mids
7
Bass
5.5
Gain
7
Reverb
3.5
Treble
6.5
Presence
6

Effects Chain

  • Boss DD-3 Digital Delay (or similar delay pedal) · delay
  • Overdrive pedal (model unknown, likely Ibanez TS9 or Boss OD-1) · overdrive

Fender Stratocaster → Overdrive pedal → Delay pedal → Marshall JCM800 → Marshall 4x12 cab (amp spring reverb on)

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Tone Character

  • singing sustain
  • smooth and melodic
  • mid-forward
  • bright but not harsh
  • touch-sensitive
  • rich, expressive phrasing
  • slightly compressed
  • moderate reverb
  • clear note separation
  • arena-ready lead sound

Notes & Caveats

  • ⚠️No direct source confirms the exact guitar, amp, or pedal models/settings for the solo on the studio recording of 'This Ain't a Love Song'.
  • ⚠️Gear and settings are estimated based on typical Richie Sambora setup for the These Days era, genre, and audio analysis.
  • ⚠️Pedal and effect models are inferred from what is audible and Sambora's known gear, not from explicit studio documentation.
  • ⚠️Settings are estimated based on Marshall JCM800 typical rock settings and forum tone descriptions.
  • ⚠️Pickup choice is inferred from the bright, singing lead tone and Sambora's known use of bridge pickup for solos.
  • ⚠️Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Richie Sambora's solo tone on 'This Ain't a Love Song' is classic mid-90s Bon Jovi: saturated but articulate, with strong mids for singing sustain, moderate bass for clarity, and moderate treble/presence to avoid harshness. Subtle reverb is present for space, matching the era's polished production.

Sources