GuitarDistortedRiff
You Give Love a Bad Name Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi · 1980s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Kramer Jersey Star (Richie Sambora signature, 1986, white, Floyd Rose tremolo)
Pickups
Seymour Duncan JB (bridge humbucker), two single coils (neck/middle, likely Seymour Duncan SSL-1s)
Amp
Marshall JCM800 2203 head with Marshall 4x12 cabinet (studio recording, 1986)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup (Seymour Duncan JB humbucker)
Studio recording for 'Slippery When Wet' (1986). Gear confirmed by period interviews and era-correct photos. Sambora used the bridge humbucker for the main riff. No evidence of pedal use for the riff section; distortion from amp. Effects like chorus/flanger are not audible in the riff section. No evidence of rack or pedal delay/chorus/flanger on the riff.
Amp Settings
Mids7
Bass6
Gain7
Reverb2.5
Treble7
Presence6.5
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Tone Character
- tight and punchy
- crunchy, saturated Marshall tone
- articulate palm-muted riffing
- bright and cutting
- percussive attack
- focused midrange
- slight amp reverb
- bridge pickup bite
- aggressive chording
- minimal ambience