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Riff Tone
Is This Love (2018 Remaster)
Whitesnake
Guitarrock1980s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson Les Paul Custom (John Sykes' 1978 model, likely used for riff section)
AmpMesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ Head (studio recording, 1986-1987 era)
Amp Settings
gain6.5
bass6
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Notes
Studio recording for 'Whitesnake' (1987), used for the main riff section of 'Is This Love'. John Sykes is credited for the guitar work. The 2018 Remaster is a remaster of the original 1987 recording. No evidence of live/tour gear or alternate guitars for the riff section.
Tone Character(10)
warm and full-bodiedcrunchy yet smoothmelodic and articulatechorus shimmertight palm-muted attacksinging sustainBritish-voiced midrangeclear note separationslightly compressed dynamicspolished studio sheen
Difficulty
The riff requires tight palm muting and precise timing to achieve the polished, articulate sound, but does not involve advanced lead techniques or fast passages.
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Create Free AccountGuitarrock1980s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson Les Paul Custom (John Sykes' 1978 model, likely used for riff section)
AmpMesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ Head (studio recording, 1986-1987 era)
Amp Settings
gain6.5
bass6
Create an account to see all tone details
Create Free AccountEffects & Signal Chain
Notes
Studio recording for 'Whitesnake' (1987), used for the main riff section of 'Is This Love'. John Sykes is credited for the guitar work. The 2018 Remaster is a remaster of the original 1987 recording. No evidence of live/tour gear or alternate guitars for the riff section.
Tone Character(10)
warm and full-bodiedcrunchy yet smoothmelodic and articulatechorus shimmertight palm-muted attacksinging sustainBritish-voiced midrangeclear note separationslightly compressed dynamicspolished studio sheen
Difficulty
The riff requires tight palm muting and precise timing to achieve the polished, articulate sound, but does not involve advanced lead techniques or fast passages.