How does Vai get his distortion?

B

BluesGuyJ

New member
Hey guys...

I know Vai uses a Carvin Legacy and a Ibanez with Evo/Breed DMZ pickups, but how does he get that thick, high gain/not muddy tone from his legacy? I know he uses a couple different distortion and overdrive pdals, but how does he use them and how does he set up his amp?

Thanks a ton!
 
Re: How does Vai get his distortion?

His DS-1 is a Keeley Ultra Mod, BTW. Don't expect a stock DS-1 to sound like that.

Also, I've seen pics of a Keeley-modded true-bypass Tube Screamer on his board, too. Not shown on the Guitar Geeks diagram.
 
Re: How does Vai get his distortion?

I am just trying to find out how he uses his DS1 Ultra and moded TS together as well as how he sets his Legacy up to take in those pedals...
 
Re: How does Vai get his distortion?

wait a sec brotha...i know i've got that guitar player somewhere...AHA!!!

"My main guitar-which I call EVO...yadayadayada...Evolution pickups...etcetc

I had been using Marshalls, but although they're great, they have a certain historic sound. As I had a long relationship with Carvin, we spent two years developing what became the Legacy...blah blah blah...The JEM plugged into the Legacy is pretty much my sound.

I use two distortion pedals: an Ibanez Tube Screamer and a Boss DS-1. The DS-1 puts out the fattest sound of any distortion pedal I've heard-and I use it about 70% of the time onstage-but it doesn't track very well when I play fast, so I switch to the Tube Screamer...."

If you guys want to I can the rest of it later...hmm Guitar Player July '05, Steve Vai!!!!!
 
Re: How does Vai get his distortion?

So when he goes to play fast, he turns off the DS1 and turns on the TS only?

If you wouldnt mind, it'd be great if you could throw in some more info from that issue!
 
Re: How does Vai get his distortion?

he throws a beehive on an electric fence, sends the sound it makes through a megaphone, and hands the CD of that sound to the sound guy before the show
 
Re: How does Vai get his distortion?

Kivitel said:
Steve Vai has ridiculous facial hair.
Click to expand...

And that is the key to his distorted sound? :doh:

Makes sense, Petrucci has more ridiculous hair and he sounds worse... Maybe you are onto something here! :smokin:

Dano
 
Re: How does Vai get his distortion?

My fave sounds of his are Passion and Warfare which I believe were 800s and maybe an SD1

and

G3's when he used Bogners.

I played a Legacy, and it wasn't the Bogner XTC. I think he uses the Bogner ETC more than we think. Either the amps gain, or the amp in one of its modes ie Plexi with a thick pedal.

I too really like his tone.
 
Re: How does Vai get his distortion?

Vai uses a Boss DS-1 (as stated earlier) and feels that the DS-1 is crucial to his sound.

You know...the Boss DS-1 that so many on this forum diss as being a cheap piece of crap because it doesn't get that "bagful of angry bumble bees" tone that so many younger players lust for and which also makes them sound just like everyone else.

Sorry...feeling a little crabby this morning. LOL!
 
Re: How does Vai get his distortion?

instead of quoting everyone i'll make it easier on me and just type on this quick post thingie...
....BluesGuyJ, yes, most of the time he gets his distortion from the DS-1 and when playing faster stuff switches to his tubescreamer (he doesnt say TS-808 or TS9)...RichS, thank you for giving my fingers some rest (CAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN SHREDDING LIKE A MOFO!!! hhahaha)...and like i said in another thread some time ago...MOST DISTORTION PEDALS CAN GIVE YOU A GREAT TONE!!! I THINK ITS MORE ABOUT YOUR AMP!!! PUSHING A CRAPPY SS PRACTICE AMP WITH A DS-1 ISNT THE SAME AS PUSHING A FRIGGIN' LEGACY WITH A DS-1!!!!!!
 
Re: How does Vai get his distortion?

Lewguitar said:
You know...the Boss DS-1 that so many on this forum diss as being a cheap piece of crap because it doesn't get that "bagful of angry bumble bees" tone that so many younger players lust for and which also makes them sound just like everyone else.
Click to expand...

Yes, as opposed to all the older guys who spend their time trying to sound exactly like EVH or SRV. That's FAR more respectable :rolleyes:

Seriously, does every post of yours really need to lambaste guys who are into different stuff than you? It seems like it got a bit redundant a few years ago.

Watch the Vai Live at the Astoria DVD, and you'll see when he switches the pedals. It's a fantastic recording (both video and sound), so you'll really get a good idea as to what he's doing pedal-wise.
 
Re: How does Vai get his distortion?

i dont want to sound like srv or vai or evh, and i dont like the mosquito-distortion either, and im a younger player, and even though im young i dont wanna sound like anyone else either...just wanted to point that out...
 
Re: How does Vai get his distortion?

JB_From_Hell said:
Seriously, does every post of yours really need to lambaste guys who are into different stuff than you?
Click to expand...

Nah. Just every other one...

The lack of originality in most players really bugs me...I don't want anyone to sound like me or anyone else. I like it when people come up with thier own thing, and think it's a shame that so many guys who think they're smokin' players are not...because all they're doing is copying.

Copying your hero is OK for a beginner...it's a good way to get started and how most of us DID get started. But it's not where it's at for a real professional or skilled player.

You gotta find your own voice...otherwise, you're a fake.

Now go sound like an angry bumble bee if that's your thing...if you enjoy it fine. But don't fool yourself into thinking you're doing anything creative.

BTW, I happen to like Steve Vai's playing...and his tone. He's an original. I liked him with Zappa and I like him on his own. But I don't sound like him at all...just not my style.

And one thing Steve Vai points out in that interview is how unoriginal most players are...whether they're copying SRV or himself.
 
Last edited:
Re: How does Vai get his distortion?

Robert S. said:
Come on, y'all know Lews only goal in life is to sound just like ME!
Click to expand...

That's true Robert...us Michiganders gotta stick together! You knew I grew up in Detroit right? Yep: Warren and Outer Drive. My mom taught school at Fisher Elementary in Redford.
 
Re: How does Vai get his distortion?

Lewguitar said:
Now go sound like an angry bumble bee if that's your thing...if you enjoy it fine. But don't fool yourself into thinking you're doing anything creative.
Click to expand...

Yeah, you're right.... guys like you who plug Fenders and Gibsons into vintage tube amps must be far more creative than guys who play metal. There's absolutely nothing more unique than a guy with a Strat and an old Fender amp.
 
Re: How does Vai get his distortion?

JB_From_Hell said:
Yeah, you're right.... guys like you who plug Fenders and Gibsons into vintage tube amps must be far more creative than guys who play metal.
Click to expand...

Thanks! Glad you could recognize that. I'm flattered.

(Hey, I'll take a compliment anyway I can get it! LOL!)

Lew
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

K
Can you share any info about the SD Black Backs?
Replies
11
Views
290
Sam SG
S
Securb
JHS Pedals is discontinuing Ross Pedals - Firesale Prices for $79 apiece
Replies
9
Views
673
jeremy
jeremy
Butch Snyder
Custom vs. Distortion vs. JB
2
Replies
26
Views
2K
Aceman
Aceman
Masta' C
You Need This: Moth Electric P.Isabella "Ram's Head" Edition!
Replies
2
Views
419
Masta' C
Masta' C
Masta' C
Small Builders That Deserve a Mention
Replies
6
Views
535
ZachcNJ
Z
Back
Top