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Riff Tone
Still Of The Night (87 Evolutions Version)
Whitesnake
Guitarrock1980s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson Les Paul Custom (likely 1978, John Sykes' main guitar for Whitesnake 1987 album)
AmpMesa Boogie Mark III (with graphic EQ, used in studio for 1987 album rhythm tones)
Amp Settings
gain8
bass6
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Notes
Studio recording, 1987. John Sykes played all rhythm guitars on the album version. Adrian Vandenberg played live but not on the studio riff. No evidence of Marshall use for this part; Sykes used the Mesa Boogie Mark III for the main riff. No pedal boost for rhythm, just amp gain.
Tone Character(10)
super fat distortioncreamy sustaintight, percussive rhythmaggressive bridge pickupBritish-voiced crunchpowerful, saturated tonecutting midsarticulate pick attackharmonics leap off the fretboardhigh output, modern 80s rock sound
Difficulty
The main riff requires fast, tight alternate picking with aggressive palm muting and precise timing, making it challenging for most players. The articulation and string skipping add to the technical demands.
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Create Free AccountGuitarrock1980s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson Les Paul Custom (likely 1978, John Sykes' main guitar for Whitesnake 1987 album)
AmpMesa Boogie Mark III (with graphic EQ, used in studio for 1987 album rhythm tones)
Amp Settings
gain8
bass6
Create an account to see all tone details
Create Free AccountEffects & Signal Chain
Notes
Studio recording, 1987. John Sykes played all rhythm guitars on the album version. Adrian Vandenberg played live but not on the studio riff. No evidence of Marshall use for this part; Sykes used the Mesa Boogie Mark III for the main riff. No pedal boost for rhythm, just amp gain.
Tone Character(10)
super fat distortioncreamy sustaintight, percussive rhythmaggressive bridge pickupBritish-voiced crunchpowerful, saturated tonecutting midsarticulate pick attackharmonics leap off the fretboardhigh output, modern 80s rock sound
Difficulty
The main riff requires fast, tight alternate picking with aggressive palm muting and precise timing, making it challenging for most players. The articulation and string skipping add to the technical demands.