Riff Tone
Tender Surrender
Steve Vai
Guitarrock1990s
Original Gear
GuitarIbanez JEM7V
AmpBogner Ecstasy 100A
PickupsDiMarzio Evolution (HSH configuration, likely neck humbucker for clean)
Amp Settings
gain0
bass6.5
mid6.5
treble6.5
reverb4
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
wahMorley Morley Bad Horsie Wah
compressionUnknown Compressor pedal (model unknown)
delayUnknown Delay pedal (model unknown)
Notes
Studio recording, 1995-1996 Fire Garden sessions. Vai used the Bogner Ecstasy for the original studio recording of 'Tender Surrender' before switching to the Carvin Legacy for later works. No evidence of DS-1 or other distortion pedals used for this song in the studio. Clean intro/riff section.
Tone Character(10)
warm and glassy cleanssmooth and expressiveslightly compressedarticulate note separationtouch-sensitive dynamicssubtle spring reverb ambienceneck pickup claritystudio polishmildly scooped midsno audible breakup
Difficulty
The clean riff requires advanced dynamic control, expressive phrasing, and precise articulation, making it challenging for most players despite its moderate tempo.
Sources
Create an account to adapt this tone to your gear
Create Free AccountGuitarrock1990s
Original Gear
GuitarIbanez JEM7V
AmpBogner Ecstasy 100A
PickupsDiMarzio Evolution (HSH configuration, likely neck humbucker for clean)
Amp Settings
gain0
bass6.5
mid6.5
treble6.5
reverb4
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
wahMorley Morley Bad Horsie Wah
compressionUnknown Compressor pedal (model unknown)
delayUnknown Delay pedal (model unknown)
Notes
Studio recording, 1995-1996 Fire Garden sessions. Vai used the Bogner Ecstasy for the original studio recording of 'Tender Surrender' before switching to the Carvin Legacy for later works. No evidence of DS-1 or other distortion pedals used for this song in the studio. Clean intro/riff section.
Tone Character(10)
warm and glassy cleanssmooth and expressiveslightly compressedarticulate note separationtouch-sensitive dynamicssubtle spring reverb ambienceneck pickup claritystudio polishmildly scooped midsno audible breakup
Difficulty
The clean riff requires advanced dynamic control, expressive phrasing, and precise articulation, making it challenging for most players despite its moderate tempo.
Tender Surrender settings for your amp
Exact settings ToneAdapt players use on these amps.
More Steve Vai tones
- For the Love of God · solo
- Tender Surrender · solo
- For the Love of God · riff
- Tender Surrender · riff
- The Crying Machine · riff
- Bad Horsie · riff
- Ballerina 12/24 · riff
- Blue Powder · solo
- Boston Rain Melody · solo
- Boston Rain Melody · riff