Riff Tone

Still Of The Night (87 Evolutions Version)

Whitesnake

Guitarrock1980s

Original Gear

GuitarGibson Les Paul Custom (likely 1978, John Sykes' main guitar for Whitesnake 1987 album)

AmpMesa Boogie Mark III (with graphic EQ, used in studio for 1987 album rhythm tones)

PickupsGibson humbuckers (likely original T-Top or Tim Shaw PAF-style, high output, passive)

Amp Settings

gain8

bass6

mid6.5

treble7

reverb2

presence6.5

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 1987. John Sykes played all rhythm guitars on the album version. Adrian Vandenberg played live but not on the studio riff. No evidence of Marshall use for this part; Sykes used the Mesa Boogie Mark III for the main riff. No pedal boost for rhythm, just amp gain.

Tone Character(10)

super fat distortioncreamy sustaintight, percussive rhythmaggressive bridge pickupBritish-voiced crunchpowerful, saturated tonecutting midsarticulate pick attackharmonics leap off the fretboardhigh output, modern 80s rock sound

Difficulty

The main riff requires fast, tight alternate picking with aggressive palm muting and precise timing, making it challenging for most players. The articulation and string skipping add to the technical demands.