Distorted Tone
You Give Love a Bad Name
Bon Jovi
Bassrock1980s
Original Gear
BassFender Precision Bass (likely mid-70s or early 80s, possibly with P/J configuration)
AmpAmpeg SVT (classic tube head, likely with matching 8x10 cab)
PickupsSplit single-coil Precision (possibly with Jazz bridge, but P pickup dominant)
Amp Settings
gain5.5
bass5.5
mid4
treble6
presence6
compression7
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 1986, Slippery When Wet sessions. Alec John Such credited, but Hugh McDonald played bass in studio.
Tone Character(9)
warm gaintubey compressiongritty midrangetight low endslightly overdrivenaggressive pick attacknot overly brightpunchyclassic 80s rock drive
Difficulty
The line is rhythmically active and requires tight, consistent pick playing with some syncopation and chromatic movement, but is not technically advanced.
Sources
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Create Free AccountBassrock1980s
Original Gear
BassFender Precision Bass (likely mid-70s or early 80s, possibly with P/J configuration)
AmpAmpeg SVT (classic tube head, likely with matching 8x10 cab)
PickupsSplit single-coil Precision (possibly with Jazz bridge, but P pickup dominant)
Amp Settings
gain5.5
bass5.5
mid4
treble6
presence6
compression7
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 1986, Slippery When Wet sessions. Alec John Such credited, but Hugh McDonald played bass in studio.
Tone Character(9)
warm gaintubey compressiongritty midrangetight low endslightly overdrivenaggressive pick attacknot overly brightpunchyclassic 80s rock drive
Difficulty
The line is rhythmically active and requires tight, consistent pick playing with some syncopation and chromatic movement, but is not technically advanced.
You Give Love a Bad Name settings for your amp
Exact settings ToneAdapt players use on these amps.
More Bon Jovi tones
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- Livin' On a Prayer · solo
- You Give Love a Bad Name · solo
- Always · solo
- Bed of Roses · solo
- This Ain't a Love Song · solo