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lead guitar from “for the love of god” by steve vai | ToneDB

for the love of god

steve vai

lead guitar

AI generatedv1.0

Tone Profile

A searing, high-gain lead tone with a vocal-like quality, characterized by its sustain, clarity, and expressive vibrato. It's a quintessential '80s shred sound with a touch of modern refinement.

Gear

Ibanez Jem 777instrument
Reverb$6423Sweetwater
Carvin X100Bamp
ReverbSweetwater
Shure SM57microphone
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Ibanez Tube Screamer TS808processing
Reverb$120Sweetwater
Eventide H3000processing
ReverbSweetwater

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The Story

Steve Vai recorded "For the Love of God" using his signature Ibanez Jem 777 guitar through a Carvin X100B amplifier head, with an Ibanez Tube Screamer TS808 for additional drive. The guitar was recorded using a Shure SM57 microphone on the cabinet, likely blended with a direct signal for clarity. Post-production effects included the Eventide H3000 for harmonizing and pitch effects, along with chorus and delay to create the track's spacious, ethereal quality.

Production Credits

Producer: Steve Vai

Engineer: Bob Demuth

Recorded at: The Mothership

Signal Chain

Instrument: Ibanez Jem 777

Amp: Carvin X100B

Microphone: Shure SM57

Processing: Ibanez Tube Screamer TS808, Eventide H3000

Recreation Tips

  • Start with a high-output humbucker-equipped guitar and a high-gain amplifier.
  • Use a Tube Screamer or similar overdrive pedal to push the amp into further saturation.
  • Experiment with chorus, delay, and reverb to add depth and ambience to the sound.
  • Practice Steve Vai's vibrato technique to emulate the expressive quality of his playing.

Original Gear

  • Ibanez Jem 777(guitar)
  • Carvin X100B(amp)
  • Shure SM57(mic)
  • Ibanez Tube Screamer TS808(pedal)
  • Eventide H3000(pedal)

Substitutions & Recommendations

Ibanez JEM7VP$1800-$2200

Alternative to: Ibanez Jem 777

Current production Jem model with the same DiMarzio Evolution pickups and tremolo system that defined Vai's tone on this track

ReverbSweetwater
Friedman BE-100$2400-$2800

Alternative to: Carvin X100B

High-gain tube head that delivers similar saturated lead tones with excellent note clarity and sustain

ReverbSweetwater
Ibanez TS808 Tube Screamer Reissue$160-$200

Alternative to: Ibanez Tube Screamer TS808

Exact modern reissue of the original overdrive pedal used to push the amp into singing sustain

ReverbSweetwater
Eventide H9$500-$600

Alternative to: Eventide H3000

Contains the H3000 algorithms plus modern updates, providing the same pitch shifting and harmonizing effects

ReverbSweetwater
Eventide H3000 Factory Plugin$179-$199

Alternative to: Eventide H3000

Exact digital recreation of the original hardware unit used for the characteristic pitch and modulation effects

ReverbSweetwater
Ibanez RG550$650-$800

Alternative to: Ibanez Jem 777

Budget-friendly option with similar neck profile and tremolo system, though requires pickup upgrade to DiMarzio Evolutions for authentic tone

ReverbSweetwater

Sources

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