Solo Tone

Is This Love (2018 Remaster)

Whitesnake

Guitarrock1980s

Original Gear

GuitarIbanez JEM777 (Steve Vai Signature, likely used by John Sykes for solo work on 1987 album sessions)

AmpMesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ Head

PickupsDiMarzio PAF Pro humbuckers

Amp Settings

gain7.5

bass6

mid6.5

treble7

reverb3.5

presence6.5

Effects & Signal Chain

chorusUnknown Chorus pedal (model unknown, likely Boss CE-3 or rack chorus)

delayUnknown Delay pedal or rack unit (model unknown)

Notes

Studio recording, 1986-1987 sessions for Whitesnake's self-titled album (2018 Remaster is a remaster of these sessions). John Sykes is credited for the solo. Gear inferred from Equipboard and era-specific interviews. No direct studio photo for this solo, but all evidence points to this setup for the solo section.

Tone Character(10)

singing sustainsmooth and melodiclush modulationrich midrangeslightly compressedclear articulationwarm upper midsnot overly saturatedtouch-sensitivechorused lead

Difficulty

The solo requires intermediate to advanced phrasing, expressive bends, and control of sustain, but does not feature extreme speed or advanced shred techniques.

Sources

Whitesnake Members, Gear & Sound - Equipboard Chorus sound on Whitesnake's "Is This Love" | The Gear Page

This tone has been researched 3 times by the community

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