Riff Tone

The Crying Machine

Steve Vai

Guitarrock1990s

Original Gear

GuitarIbanez JEM77FP (Floral Pattern, 1990s, DiMarzio Evolution pickups)

AmpCarvin Legacy VL100

PickupsDiMarzio Evolution (humbucker, bridge position)

Amp Settings

gain7.5

bass6

mid6.5

treble7

reverb2

presence6.5

Effects & Signal Chain

wahDunlop Dunlop Cry Baby Wah

Notes

Studio recording, 1995-1996 (Fire Garden album). Gear confirmed for this era and song by Equipboard and multiple interviews. Pedalboard was minimal for riff section; main distortion from amp. Wah pedal present but not always engaged in riff.

Tone Character(10)

tight and articulatebright and cuttingfocused midrangesinging sustainpercussive palm-mutingharmonic claritymodern saturated overdrivedynamic pick responseoccasional wah filter sweepsfluid legato

Difficulty

The riff requires advanced picking speed, tight palm muting, and precise articulation, as well as dynamic control for expressive phrasing and occasional wah sweeps.

Sources

Steve Vai's Guitar Gear, Pedalboard & Amps - Equipboard Which guitarist has the hardest sound to emulate? : r/Guitar - Reddit

This tone has been researched 2 times by the community

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