Riff Tone

Wait

White Lion

Guitarrock1980s

Original Gear

GuitarFender Stratocaster (heavily worn, likely late 1970s or early 1980s, used for recording 'Pride' album including 'Wait')

AmpMarshall 100-watt Super Lead (vintage, likely JMP or JCM800 era, used in studio for 'Pride')

PickupsSingle-coil pickups (original Strat pickups, likely stock or period-correct replacements)

Amp Settings

gain6.5

bass6

mid6

treble7

reverb2.5

presence6.5

Effects & Signal Chain

overdriveIbanez Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer

Notes

Studio recording, 1987 (Pride album). Vito Bratta used his worn Stratocaster with a Tube Screamer into a Marshall Super Lead for the main riff. Not live gear. No evidence of Steinberger or other guitars for this section. ADA MP-1 and BOSS GT-5 were used later or for other songs/solos, not confirmed for this riff.

Tone Character(10)

bright and articulatetight and percussivemoderate sustainclear note separationBritish crunchslightly compressedpunchy attackmelodic claritynot overly saturateddistinct single-coil presence

Difficulty

The riff requires tight, articulate picking with palm muting and rhythmic precision, making it moderately challenging for intermediate players.

Sources

Vito Bratta reflects on White Lion, '80s & Eddie Van Halen Vito Bratta, White Lion Guitarist Gear | Equipboard White Lion Members, Gear & Sound | Equipboard

Create an account to adapt this tone to your gear

Create Free Account