Riff Tone

Wanted Dead Or Alive (Acoustic Version)

Bon Jovi

Guitarrock1980s

Original Gear

GuitarOvation 1657 Anniversary 12-String Acoustic-Electric

AmpDirect to mixing console (studio), possible use of acoustic DI/preamp

PickupsOvation Piezo Pickup (under-saddle, active preamp)

Amp Settings

gain0

bass6

mid6.5

treble6.5

reverb4

presence5

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 1986; main riff section is played on a 12-string Ovation acoustic-electric, plugged in direct or through a DI/preamp. No evidence of electric guitar or traditional amp in the riff section. No pedals confirmed for the studio acoustic riff. Live versions may use similar Ovation 12-string models.

Tone Character(10)

bright and shimmerycrisp and articulatefull-bodied resonancerich harmonic contentclear note separationpercussive attackslight natural compressionstudio-polished claritysubtle reverb ambiencelush 12-string overtones

Difficulty

The riff requires intermediate skill due to the 12-string acoustic's wider neck, the need for precise picking/strumming, and maintaining clarity in arpeggiated open chords.

Sources

Phil X teaches Bon Jovi classics including Wanted Dead or Alive and Bad Medicine in debut episode of Gibson’s Riff Lords | Guitar World Wanted Dead Or Alive (Bon Jovi) re-imagined as a solo fingerstyle ...

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