What guitar did Whitesnake use on Here I Go Again?

While Fender Stratocasters were commonly used by Whitesnake guitarists during this era, the exact guitar model used on this specific recording hasn't been definitively confirmed in interviews. The tone characteristics suggest a single-coil pickup guitar like a Stratocaster.

How to get Whitesnake Here I Go Again guitar tone?

The foundation is a Stratocaster-style guitar through a Marshall JCM800 amplifier with an Ibanez Tube Screamer for added drive and sustain. A subtle chorus effect helps achieve the characteristic 80s width and shimmer heard on the recording.

What amp did Whitesnake use in the 80s?

Marshall JCM800 amplifiers were widely used by hard rock and metal guitarists throughout the 1980s, including many artists from that era. These amps were known for their aggressive midrange and natural overdrive characteristics.

What effects pedals are needed for 80s rock guitar tone?

For classic 80s rock tones like this, an overdrive pedal (such as an Ibanez Tube Screamer) and chorus effect are essential. The overdrive adds sustain and midrange punch, while chorus provides the characteristic width and movement of the era.

lead guitar from "here i go again" by whitesnake

here i go again

whitesnake

lead guitar

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Tone Profile

A classic 80s hard rock guitar tone with sustain, bite, and a touch of chorus. It's designed for soaring solos and memorable riffs.

Production Credits

Producer: Mike Stone

Engineer: Gary Langan

Recorded at: Record Plant, Los Angeles

Signal Chain

Instrument: Fender Stratocaster

Amp: Marshall JCM800

Microphone: Shure SM57

Processing: Ibanez Tube Screamer TS808, Boss CE-1

Recording Notes

The guitar was likely recorded with a close-miked SM57 on the Marshall cabinet.
The Ibanez Tube Screamer was used to boost the amp's gain for added sustain and saturation.
A touch of chorus adds width and dimension to the guitar sound.

Recreation Tips

Start with a Fender Stratocaster into a Marshall JCM800.
Use an Ibanez Tube Screamer to push the amp into overdrive.
Add a subtle chorus effect to thicken the sound.
Adjust the EQ on the amp and Tube Screamer to taste.
Experiment with different microphone positions to find the sweet spot on the cabinet.

Original Gear

Substitutions & Recommendations

Squier Classic Vibe '70s Stratocaster$400-$450

Alternative to: Fender Stratocaster

Provides the classic Strat single-coil pickup sound and feel needed for this 80s rock tone at a budget-friendly price point

Marshall Studio Classic SC20H$800-$900

Alternative to: Marshall JCM800

20-watt version of the JCM800 circuit with power scaling, delivering the same aggressive midrange and harmonic saturation at manageable volumes

Ibanez Tube Screamer TS808 Reissue$180-$220

Alternative to: Ibanez Tube Screamer TS808

Faithful reissue of the original TS808 that provides the midrange boost and compression essential for sustaining lead lines

Boss CE-2W Chorus$200-$250

Alternative to: Boss CE-1

Waza Craft pedal that recreates both CE-1 and CE-2 chorus sounds, adding the subtle modulation and width for 80s guitar tones

Neural DSP Fortin Cali Suite$130-$150

Alternative to: Marshall JCM800 + Tube Screamer combination

Digital modeling suite that includes accurate Marshall-style amp models with built-in overdrive circuits for home recording

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

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lead guitar from “here i go again” by whitesnake | ToneDB