Riff Tone
Livin' On a Prayer
Bon Jovi
Guitarrock1980s
Original Gear
Guitar1983 Fender Stratocaster (Richie Sambora's main studio Strat, likely with Floyd Rose and DiMarzio pickups)
AmpMarshall JCM800 2203 head with 4x12 cabinet (studio recording, 1986)
PickupsDiMarzio FS-1 single coil (neck/middle), DiMarzio PAF Pro humbucker (bridge)
Amp Settings
gain0
bass6
mid6
treble7
reverb3
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
chorusUnknown Chorus pedal (model unknown, likely Boss CE-2 or Electro-Harmonix Small Clone)
Notes
Studio recording for 'Slippery When Wet' (1986). Richie Sambora used his Stratocaster with a humbucker in the bridge for the main riff and clean sections. Amp was a Marshall JCM800, typical for this era. No evidence of live/touring gear or later band members' setups included.
Tone Character(10)
bright and processedlush chorus modulationtight and percussive attackslightly compressedarticulate and clear80s pop-rock sheennot harsh or brittleclean with subtle warmthmodulated shimmerstudio-polished
Difficulty
The riff requires tight, syncopated chord stabs and clean muting to avoid string noise, but is otherwise straightforward. The main challenge is matching the precise timing and dynamic control of the original recording.
Sources
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Create Free AccountGuitarrock1980s
Original Gear
Guitar1983 Fender Stratocaster (Richie Sambora's main studio Strat, likely with Floyd Rose and DiMarzio pickups)
AmpMarshall JCM800 2203 head with 4x12 cabinet (studio recording, 1986)
PickupsDiMarzio FS-1 single coil (neck/middle), DiMarzio PAF Pro humbucker (bridge)
Amp Settings
gain0
bass6
mid6
treble7
reverb3
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
chorusUnknown Chorus pedal (model unknown, likely Boss CE-2 or Electro-Harmonix Small Clone)
Notes
Studio recording for 'Slippery When Wet' (1986). Richie Sambora used his Stratocaster with a humbucker in the bridge for the main riff and clean sections. Amp was a Marshall JCM800, typical for this era. No evidence of live/touring gear or later band members' setups included.
Tone Character(10)
bright and processedlush chorus modulationtight and percussive attackslightly compressedarticulate and clear80s pop-rock sheennot harsh or brittleclean with subtle warmthmodulated shimmerstudio-polished
Difficulty
The riff requires tight, syncopated chord stabs and clean muting to avoid string noise, but is otherwise straightforward. The main challenge is matching the precise timing and dynamic control of the original recording.
Livin' On a Prayer settings for your amp
Exact settings ToneAdapt players use on these amps.
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