GuitarDistortedRiff
Yankee Rose Riff Guitar Tone Settings — David Lee Roth
David Lee Roth · 1980s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Charvel 'Green Meanie' (heavily modified Strat-style, DiMarzio pickups, Floyd Rose tremolo)
Pickups
DiMarzio PAF Pro (bridge humbucker), DiMarzio HS-2 (neck/middle single-coil sized humbuckers)
Amp
Marshall JCM900 (likely, based on era and Vai's known rig for Eat 'Em and Smile sessions)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup (DiMarzio PAF Pro humbucker)
Studio recording, 1986. Steve Vai used the 'Green Meanie' Charvel with DiMarzio pickups and a Marshall stack for the main riff. Floyd Rose tremolo used for whammy effects. No evidence of live rig or alternate guitars for the riff section.
Amp Settings
Mids7
Bass6
Gain7
Reverb2
Treble7.5
Presence6.5
Effects Chain
- Wah pedal (model unknown) · wah
Charvel 'Green Meanie' → Wah pedal → Marshall JCM900 (with light spring reverb)
Tone Matcher
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Tone Character
- aggressive and saturated
- bright and articulate
- tight palm-muted chugs
- percussive attack
- vocal-like phrasing
- harmonic overtones
- crisp pick attack
- high output, compressed
- whammy bar squeals
- cutting midrange
Sources
Tone Story / Why This Tone Works
studio