Song Rig
Always with Me, Always with You
Joe Satriani · Surfing with the Alien · 1987
Tone Overview
What Makes This Sound Unique
Satriani's most melodic and restrained tone — a clean to light-crunch Strat-like character from the Ibanez JS1 on the neck pickup, with a subtle chorus and the delay timed precisely to the song's ballad tempo. The emotional content is entirely delivered through the melody and vibrato, not the gain level.
Signal Chain
- 1Ibanez JS1 (neck pickup, volume at 7)
- 2Marshall JMP (clean to very light crunch)
- 3Boss CH-1 Chorus (subtle)
- 4Boss DD-2 (longer delay, 1–2 repeats, 380ms)
Amp Settings
The cleanest Satriani studio tone — gain barely past unity. The neck pickup on the JS1 has a warmer character than the bridge position. Chorus adds shimmer without width that would blur the melodic line. Reverb moderate.
Technique
How to Play It
Measured, pitch-perfect vibrato on every sustained note — Satriani's vibrato in ballad context is wider and slightly slower than his shred playing, maximising emotional expression on each note. Whammy bar used for gentle pitch dips rather than dramatic dives.
Budget Alternative
Achievable With
Any guitar with neck humbucker + clean Fender-style or Marshall clean amp + Boss CH-1 and DD-8 (380ms delay, 1 repeat). The vibrato control and melodic restraint are the complete technique picture.
Your Gear
Adapt to My Amp
More from Joe Satriani