Riff Tone
Boston Rain Melody
Steve Vai
Guitarrock2000s
Original Gear
GuitarIbanez JEM7V
AmpCarvin Legacy VL100
PickupsDiMarzio Evolution (HSH configuration, most likely neck or neck+middle for riff)
Amp Settings
gain6
bass6
mid7
treble7
reverb4.5
presence6.5
Effects & Signal Chain
overdriveIbanez Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer (modded or standard)
chorusBoss Boss CH-1 Super Chorus
delayBoss Boss DD-7 Digital Delay
Notes
Studio recording, original album version (2005, Real Illusions: Reflections). Gear confirmed by multiple Steve Vai interviews and typical for this era. No evidence of Fractal or Synergy amps for this recording; those are for later live rigs.
Tone Character(10)
singing sustainglassy and smoothlyrical and expressivewarm neck pickup tonefluid legato articulationambient and atmosphericclear note definitionsubtle chorus shimmerlush delay trailsdynamic volume swells
Difficulty
The riff requires advanced legato technique, expressive phrasing, and nuanced control of dynamics and sustain, making it challenging for most players.
Sources
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Original Gear
GuitarIbanez JEM7V
AmpCarvin Legacy VL100
PickupsDiMarzio Evolution (HSH configuration, most likely neck or neck+middle for riff)
Amp Settings
gain6
bass6
mid7
treble7
reverb4.5
presence6.5
Effects & Signal Chain
overdriveIbanez Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer (modded or standard)
chorusBoss Boss CH-1 Super Chorus
delayBoss Boss DD-7 Digital Delay
Notes
Studio recording, original album version (2005, Real Illusions: Reflections). Gear confirmed by multiple Steve Vai interviews and typical for this era. No evidence of Fractal or Synergy amps for this recording; those are for later live rigs.
Tone Character(10)
singing sustainglassy and smoothlyrical and expressivewarm neck pickup tonefluid legato articulationambient and atmosphericclear note definitionsubtle chorus shimmerlush delay trailsdynamic volume swells
Difficulty
The riff requires advanced legato technique, expressive phrasing, and nuanced control of dynamics and sustain, making it challenging for most players.
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