Favourite Vai tone?

[notavirtuoso]

I'm really torn between the Bogner and the Legacy. I love the tone in Warm Regards, it just grabs me, but the tone from Alive in an Ultra World, especially Whispering a Prayer is downright magical.

[VaiEvo]

I just heard "Sex & Religion" for the first time (album), and that is a seriously AWESOME album with great tone, I'm just a bigger fan of his current Carvin Legacy tone. To me, it's more "Vai".

But, I must say, I'm truly torn between the Bogner and the Legacy. I'm gonna have to go Legacy.

[resha]

I just heard "Sex & Religion" for the first time (album), and that is a seriously AWESOME album with great tone, I'm just a bigger fan of his current Carvin Legacy tone. To me, it's more "Vai".

But, I must say, I'm truly torn between the Bogner and the Legacy. I'm gonna have to go Legacy.

S&R was one of the best lead sounds I've ever heard. I love it!

Cutting, screaming highs and tight, punchy, loud bass with a little mids... Amazing

I think that was a Soldano sound

[Samuele]

I just heard "Sex & Religion" for the first time (album), and that is a seriously AWESOME album with great tone, I'm just a bigger fan of his current Carvin Legacy tone. To me, it's more "Vai".

But, I must say, I'm truly torn between the Bogner and the Legacy. I'm gonna have to go Legacy.

S&R was one of the best lead sounds I've ever heard. I love it!

Cutting, screaming highs and tight, punchy, loud bass with a little mids... Amazing

I think that was a Soldano sound

Hey folks, you know actually I think it was a VHT Classic power amp and a Marshall JCM-900, mixed with an ADA MP-1 preamp. Check out this interview excerpt from back then ('93):

"GW: What kind of guitar tone did you have in mind for Sex And Religion?

Vai: I put a lot of research into that. The only way to really tell the way any piece of equipment sounds, is to bring it into the studio, record something with it, then record it again with a competitive piece of gear on an adjacent tape track and A/B them, which is what I did. I went to ridiculous lengths to compare instruments, amplifiers, microphones, strings and everything else I used on the album. I mean, I filled the room with amplifier heads. Name one – it was in there. And all the preamps. I decided on my Marshall Heritage head for the majority of the sounds – what I call a Heritage, anyway. It’s a JCM-900. I used that mixed with the ADA MP-1 preamp. I chose a VHT power amp, which is a real workhorse, and real metal sounding. The cabinet I went with was a Marshall slant-top with 30-watt Celestions."

This is where you can read the full interview (Steve talks a lot about gear in that one): http://www.theultrazone.com/articles4.cfm

Sure, Steve's tone on S&R is one of the most amazing ever, but I still favor his current tone (with the Legacy) more than anything else.

Peace.

[resha]

Yeah I was referrign to this: http://www.vai.com/Machines/livegear_sex_religion.html

Maybe His studio setup was different from the live one?!

And now I'm wondering: what was the actual use of heads like those (Soldano, Marshall, Bogner) altogether?!

[Ugur Dariveren]

And now I'm wondering: what was the actual use of heads like those (Soldano, Marshall, Bogner) altogether?!

I always wondering that

[resha]

Maybe 3 different lead sounds?!

Both rhythm and lead with different settings probably?

Those heads are beasts, so...

[rowla]

Great post

some fantastic moments here. can't decide between

Eat em and Smile
The Animal
Rescue me or bury me (as someone said previously, crystal clear and so pure)

I do have a question, Steve's tone in the early DLR days, is there a delay pedal in there it almost sounds like a harmonizer. I've always loved the sound but never kown how to achieve it (besides practie!).

The best example I can think of is the legato intro to Shy Boy but it's all over that album. I've also heard it in early Richie Kotzen (up to and inluding Electric Joy) and Jason Becker.

If this is a delay is it achievable on a Boss DD or are we talking Eventide and studio gear?

hope someone can help

Col

[resha]

The best example I can think of is the legato intro to Shy Boy

No effects at all!

Steve used to double most of His guitars during that period

So what you actually listen to is nothing but... ehm... "2 Steves"

[rowla]

Thanks Resha

Simple but very effective.

Col

[resha]

Thanks Resha

Simple but very effective.

Col

Are you talking about my answer or about Steve's recording technique?

[rowla]

Rosha

Definitely refering to the recording! I had always thought there was some fancy studio delay or harmoniser used.

thanks for your help

Col

[BSBoy]

Expo 92...the best sound ever.

[tweezersguitar!]

Probably the 'eat em and smile' tone...but i like them all really

[Murder Soul]

Marshall.
For the Love of God.