Riff Tone

Bad Medicine

Bon Jovi

Guitarrock1980s

Original Gear

Guitar1987 Kramer Jersey Star (Richie Sambora signature, HSS configuration, Floyd Rose tremolo)

AmpMarshall JCM 800 2203 (100-watt head) into Marshall 4x12 cabinet

PickupsSeymour Duncan JB humbucker (bridge), two single coils (neck/middle)

Amp Settings

gain7.5

bass6

mid6.5

treble7

reverb2.5

presence6.5

Effects & Signal Chain

overdriveBoss Boss SD-1 Super Overdrive

chorusBoss Boss CE-2 Chorus

Notes

Studio recording, 1988 (New Jersey album sessions). All evidence points to Richie Sambora using his signature Kramer Jersey Star with a Seymour Duncan JB in the bridge and a Marshall JCM 800 for the main riff. No evidence of live gear or Phil X era gear for this recording.

Tone Character(10)

tight, saturated rhythm crunchaggressive palm-muted power chordsbright, cutting attackharmonic overtones from bridge humbuckerarticulate note separationcompressed, punchy midsslight room ambience80s arena rock wall-of-soundpercussive pick attacksustained, singing chords

Difficulty

The riff requires solid palm muting and tight rhythm at a fast tempo, but uses standard power chords and no advanced techniques, making it intermediate.

Sources

Richie Sambora's Guitar Gear | Equipboard Rig Rundown: Bon Jovi - Premier Guitar Bon Jovi – Slippery When Wet - Gear & Equipment Used on the Album | Equipboard

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