Riff Tone

Here I Go Again (1987 Version / 2017 Remaster)

Whitesnake

Guitarrock1980s

Original Gear

GuitarGibson Les Paul Custom (likely 1970s or early 1980s, as used by John Sykes on the 1987 album)

AmpMesa Boogie Mark III (studio recording, 1987 album)

PickupsGibson Dirty Fingers humbuckers

Amp Settings

gain0

bass5.5

mid5.5

treble7

reverb3.5

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

chorusUnknown Chorus pedal (model unknown)

Notes

Studio recording, 1987. John Sykes played all rhythm guitars for the 1987 version; clean sections likely used the same Les Paul Custom and Mesa Boogie Mark III as the rest of the album. No evidence of alternate guitars for clean parts. No evidence of live rig or alternate amp for clean tone.

Tone Character(10)

bright and glassyslightly compressedlush chorus shimmerspacious reverb tailsmooth and rounded attackarticulate note separation80s studio cleannot brittle or harshfull-bodiedwarm neck pickup character

Difficulty

The clean riff requires accurate arpeggios and dynamic control to maintain the soft, shimmering 80s clean tone, but does not involve advanced techniques or fast playing.

Sources

John Sykes sound on Whitesnake '87 | Guitar Forum Seeking Whitesnake (John Sykes) Guitar tone on Fender ...[NEWBIE] How to create that 80s reverby clean tone, a la ...

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