Equipment use documented
Ibanez JEM · EVO
Original knob values: unknown. Numerical suggestions await further version and control references for this item.
Check the era, documented model and limits
ARTIST / 15SOLO ARTIST — INSTRUMENTAL ROCK / SHRED
Steve Vai
Fluid legato and wide vibrato, with melodies sustained by a rich midrange.
RECREATION STUDY
For the Love of God
Legacy-era live lead character
Suggested pickupBridge humbucker
TuningE A D G B E
Suggested values are starting points for recreation.
MATCH THE HARDWARE FIRST
Start with the instrument’s own controls
Reference the JEM EVO and documented Carvin Legacy use. Distinguish the original Legacy from the 2012 three-channel model. Until version and channel are established, do not label Soldano substitute values as native settings.
Equipment basis and value provenance are separate. Suggested values for matching hardware are still not verified artist settings.
2012 Harmony Hut · artist’s studio and live rig rundown
Equipment use documented
Carvin Legacy · original / 2012 three-channel
Original knob values: unknown. Numerical suggestions await further version and control references for this item.
Check the era, documented model and limitsUsing different equipment?
The substitute path provides a full simplified chain and suggested values for alternative gear.
DOCUMENTED USE
What does the evidence establish?
2012 Harmony Hut · artist’s studio and live rig rundown
Confirmation applies only to the stated era and claim. It does not validate a complete recording rig or our modeler presets.
Confirmed in sourceEQUIPMENT
Ibanez JEM · EVO
EVO is identified as his main studio and live guitar.
Premier Guitar — Steve Vai Rig RundownEvidence location: EVO and JEM guitar descriptions
Confirmed in sourceEQUIPMENT
Carvin Legacy · original / 2012 three-channel
The rundown identifies original Legacy heads and the 2012 three-channel Legacy.
This does not identify the amp used for the 1990 For the Love of God recording.
Premier Guitar — Steve Vai Rig RundownEvidence location: Carvin Legacy amplifier description
Not establishedSETTING
Recreation guide · knob values
These sources do not establish our complete numerical guide as the artist’s actual settings.
Suggested values are starting points, not verified original recording settings.
Sources and review record
How we review evidence ↗Premier Guitar — Steve Vai Rig Rundown
Artist interviewAccount / record by: Steve Vai
Period / original record: 2012 · Published: 2012-08-08 · Source reviewed: 2026-09-13
Reference photos are separate from evidence of actual use. See photo credits for the original images and reuse terms.
Start with the connections. Guitar → modeler INPUT → headphones or FRFR. Use both amp and cabinet simulation. For a physical guitar speaker, disable cabinet simulation and adjust the output mode.
The proposal fits within HX Stomp’s eight-block count. Actual DSP use still needs testing; omit optional modulation if necessary.
Tone and gain values are normalized 0–10 starting points. If the device uses a different range, begin at a similar proportion; this is not an acoustic equivalence. Time, frequency and mix retain their shown units. Leave unlisted parameters at defaults.
01
AMP
Solo Lead OD
- Drive / Gain
- 6
- Bass
- 4
- Mid
- 6
- Treble
- 5.5
- Presence
- 4
In place of Carvin Legacy, Helix and QC use Soldano SLO models and BOSS uses its original high-gain model. Keep mids and avoid excessive gain.
02
CAB
4x12 Greenback 25
- Low Cut
- 80 Hz
- High Cut
- 6.5 kHz
For headphones / FRFR. Cabinet choices are tonal alternatives, not necessarily the original touring speakers. If QC lacks the cut filters here, use a separate Low-High Cut block.
03
DELAY
Simple Delay
- Time
- 460 ms
- Feedback
- 26 %
- Mix
- 22 %
An editorial placement for clear repeats. This does not establish that the artist used this delay time on a recording or tour.
04
REVERB
Room
- Decay / Time
- 1.5 s
- Mix
- 17 %
An editorial ambience suggestion, not evidence of use on a recording or tour.
Model names based on Helix 3.80
Official model / parameter documentation
Make the final adjustments by ear
- Start at a low output level and check for input clipping.
- Bypass pedals and establish the amp’s basic tone.
- Match engaged and bypassed volume as you enable effects.
- Adjust bass for loose lows and treble or high cut for sharp highs.