Riff Tone
Is This Love (Live)
Whitesnake
Guitarrock1980s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson Les Paul Standard '60s (1987, John Sykes)
AmpMarshall JCM800 2203 head with Marshall 4x12 cabinet
PickupsOriginal Gibson humbuckers (likely T-Top or Tim Shaw era, high output, passive)
Amp Settings
gain6
bass5.5
mid6.5
treble6.5
reverb1.5
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
chorusBoss Boss CE-2 Chorus
Notes
Live performance, 1987 era. John Sykes using Les Paul Standard with neck pickup for riff/chorus sections. Amp is Marshall JCM800 2203. Pedalboard includes Boss CE-2 Chorus. No evidence of additional drive/distortion pedals for riff section.
Tone Character(10)
mid-gain British crunchlush chorus shimmerarticulate pick attacktight low endsinging sustainsmooth and saturatedcreamy upper midsclassic 80s melodic hard rock rhythm soundpowerful barre chordswarm neck pickup tone
Difficulty
The riff section is based on barre chords and straightforward rhythm, but requires good timing, dynamic control, and clarity with chorus modulation. Not technically difficult but needs precision for the iconic 80s sound.
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Create Free AccountGuitarrock1980s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson Les Paul Standard '60s (1987, John Sykes)
AmpMarshall JCM800 2203 head with Marshall 4x12 cabinet
PickupsOriginal Gibson humbuckers (likely T-Top or Tim Shaw era, high output, passive)
Amp Settings
gain6
bass5.5
mid6.5
treble6.5
reverb1.5
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
chorusBoss Boss CE-2 Chorus
Notes
Live performance, 1987 era. John Sykes using Les Paul Standard with neck pickup for riff/chorus sections. Amp is Marshall JCM800 2203. Pedalboard includes Boss CE-2 Chorus. No evidence of additional drive/distortion pedals for riff section.
Tone Character(10)
mid-gain British crunchlush chorus shimmerarticulate pick attacktight low endsinging sustainsmooth and saturatedcreamy upper midsclassic 80s melodic hard rock rhythm soundpowerful barre chordswarm neck pickup tone
Difficulty
The riff section is based on barre chords and straightforward rhythm, but requires good timing, dynamic control, and clarity with chorus modulation. Not technically difficult but needs precision for the iconic 80s sound.
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