Riff Tone

Die to Live

Steve Vai

Guitarrock1990s

Original Gear

GuitarIbanez JEM7V

AmpCarvin Legacy (VL100 or Legacy I head, studio recording)

PickupsDiMarzio Evolution (humbucker, bridge position for riff)

Amp Settings

gain7.5

bass6

mid7

treble7

reverb2

presence6.5

Effects & Signal Chain

distortionIbanez Ibanez Jemini Distortion

wahMorley Morley Bad Horsie Wah

delayUnknown Delay pedal (model unknown)

Notes

Studio recording, 1995 (Alien Love Secrets album). Steve Vai is confirmed to have used his Ibanez JEM7V with DiMarzio Evolution pickups and Carvin Legacy amp for this era and album. No evidence of Axe-FX or digital modelers in the studio for this track; effects added post or via pedals. Effects are mostly from pedals or rack, not amp.

Tone Character(10)

tight and articulatehigh-gain saturationpercussive attackclear note separationaggressive bridge pickup soundsinging sustainslightly compressedcrisp top endfocused midrangemodern rock/metal clarity

Difficulty

The riff requires tight rhythmic precision, fast muting, and dynamic control, but does not involve extreme shred techniques or complex chord voicings, making it challenging but accessible to intermediate/advanced players.

Sources

Rig Rundown - Steve Vai - Premier Guitar Steve Vai: The Man Behind the Icon - Premier Guitar Steve Vai's guitar gear: how to nail the shred hero's sound

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