Solo Tone

Wanted Dead or Alive

Bon Jovi

Guitarrock1980s

Original Gear

GuitarGibson Les Paul Standard (late '50s/early '60s, likely 1959 or 1960, as referenced in interviews and rig rundowns for the era)

AmpMarshall JCM 800 head (studio recording, 1986)

PickupsGibson PAF humbuckers

Amp Settings

gain7

bass6

mid7

treble7

reverb3

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

delayUnknown Delay pedal (model unknown)

Notes

Studio recording for 'Slippery When Wet' (1986). Richie Sambora used a late '50s/early '60s Gibson Les Paul Standard with PAF humbuckers into a Marshall JCM 800 head for the solo. No evidence of live/tour gear or alternate guitars for the solo section. Effects are based on both source mentions and clear audio evidence.

Tone Character(10)

singing sustainmid-gain British crunchsmooth, vocal-like lead tonetouch-sensitive dynamicsslightly scooped but present midsclear note separationwarm, harmonically richclassic rock solo characternot overly saturateddistinct delay repeats audible

Difficulty

The solo requires intermediate-level technique with expressive bends, accurate phrasing to match the delay, and dynamic control for a vocal-like lead sound.

Sources

Richie Sambora's Guitar Gear Access All Areas: On the road with Bon Jovi The Muse and the Guitarists That Spark It

This tone has been researched 16 times by the community

Create an account to adapt this tone to your gear

Create Free Account