Steve Vai's Sound
Technique in service of the strangest, most vocal guitar imagination in rock.
Harmonised, whammy-drenched leads through Carvin Legacy amps with lush stereo effects
The rig
The gear associated with the sound. Each item opens a live Reverb search — vintage examples where they exist, modern equivalents where they don't.
Guitars
- Ibanez JEM7VFind on Reverb
- Ibanez Universe 7-stringFind on Reverb
- Ibanez PIAFind on Reverb
Amps
- Carvin Legacy 3Find on Reverb
- Synergy VAI moduleFind on Reverb
- Marshall JCM800 (1980s)Find on Reverb
Effects
- Eventide HarmonizerFind on Reverb
- Boss DS-1 (modified)Find on Reverb
- Morley Bad Horsie wahFind on Reverb
- TC Electronic delay and chorusFind on Reverb
Pickups
- DiMarzio Evolution and UtoPIAFind on Reverb
Other
- Monkey grip handleFind on Reverb
- Floyd Rose floating tremolo, set up for extreme travelFind on Reverb
Why it sounds like that
For the Love of God
Long-sustain lead with heavy stereo delay and harmoniser — designed so a single note can carry four bars.
The Attitude Song
Dry, bright and articulate — the early tone before the lush stereo processing arrived.
Bad Horsie
Wah-driven, aggressive and midrange-forward, with the whammy used as a rhythmic device.
Eugene's Trick Bag (Crossroads)
The film duel tone: hot Carvin into a Marshall with just enough chorus to widen it.
Similar sounds
TGP may earn a commission when you purchase through select gear links. It never changes what you pay or what we recommend. Full disclosure.