What guitar did Richie Sambora use on It's My Life?

Richie Sambora used a Fender Stratocaster for the lead guitar parts on 'It's My Life'. The single-coil pickups provide the bright, cutting tone that works well with the high-gain amplifier setup.

What amp was used on Bon Jovi It's My Life guitar tone?

The lead guitar tone was recorded through a Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier amplifier. This high-gain amp head is known for its aggressive sound and scooped midrange, which gives the track its modern rock character.

How to get Richie Sambora's It's My Life chorus sound?

The chorus effect comes from a Boss CE-1 chorus pedal. This vintage analog chorus adds the characteristic depth and movement to the guitar tone, creating the lush modulation heard throughout the song.

What microphone was used to record It's My Life guitar?

The guitar amp was recorded using a Shure SM57 dynamic microphone. This is a standard choice for recording guitar amplifiers as it captures the aggressive midrange and handles high sound pressure levels well.

Where was Bon Jovi It's My Life recorded?

The song was recorded at Sanctuary Sound II in New Jersey. The album was produced by John Shanks and engineered by Obie O'Brien.

lead guitar from "it's my life" by bon jovi

it's my life

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lead guitar

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Tone Profile

The lead guitar tone is aggressive and punchy, cutting through the mix with a bright, slightly overdriven sound and a touch of chorus. It’s a classic rock tone with a modern edge, perfect for anthemic riffs and soaring solos.

Shop This Rig

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Fender Stratocaster(instrument)
Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier(amp)
Shure SM57(microphone)
Boss CE-1(processing)

The Story

Richie Sambora's lead guitar tone on 'It's My Life' features a Fender Stratocaster through a Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier amp, recorded with a Shure SM57 microphone. The signal chain includes a Boss CE-1 chorus pedal that adds the characteristic depth and movement to the aggressive, high-gain tone. The track was recorded at Sanctuary Sound II in New Jersey with producer John Shanks.

Production Credits

Producer: John Shanks

Engineer: Obie O'Brien

Recorded at: Sanctuary Sound II, New Jersey

Signal Chain

Instrument: Fender StratocasterShop on Reverb

Amp: Mesa/Boogie Dual RectifierShop on Reverb

Microphone: Shure SM57Shop on Reverb

Processing: Boss CE-1Shop on Reverb

Recreation Tips

Start with a Fender Stratocaster or similar guitar with single-coil pickups.
Use a Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier or similar high-gain amplifier.
Experiment with different gain settings on the amp to find the sweet spot for the lead tone.
Add a touch of chorus using a Boss CE-1 or similar chorus pedal.
Use an SM57 or similar dynamic microphone to capture the amp's sound.
Experiment with microphone placement to find the best position for capturing the amp's tone.

Original Gear

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Fender StratocasterShop on Reverb(guitar)
Mesa/Boogie Dual RectifierShop on Reverb(amp)
Shure SM57Shop on Reverb(mic)
Boss CE-1Shop on Reverb(pedal)

Substitutions & Recommendations

Boss Waza Tube Amp ExpanderShop on Reverb$400-$500

Alternative to: Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier

Recreates high-gain tube amp tones with the midrange scoop and aggressive character of the Dual Rectifier at home-friendly volumes

Neural DSP Fortin NTS SuitePlugin Boutique$100-$150

Alternative to: Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier

Digital recreation of high-gain Mesa-style amps with the tight, scooped midrange tone perfect for modern rock

Boss CE-2W ChorusShop on Reverb$150-$200

Alternative to: Boss CE-1

Waza Craft pedal that recreates both CE-1 and CE-2 chorus sounds with the vintage analog warmth of the original

Fender Player StratocasterShop on Reverb$800-$900

Alternative to: Fender Stratocaster

Modern Stratocaster with single-coil pickups that deliver the bright, cutting tone needed for this aggressive rock sound

TC Electronic Corona ChorusShop on Reverb$80-$120