Song Rig
Big Bad Moon
Joe Satriani · Flying in a Blue Dream · 1989
Tone Overview
What Makes This Sound Unique
Unusually rootsy for Satriani — Big Bad Moon has a country-blues feel, with a wah-filtered intro and a more earthy, less polished guitar tone than his typical shred material. The guitar has a more open, dynamic character; the wah and the slide-influenced bending give it a raw blues edge.
Signal Chain
- 1Ibanez JS guitar (bridge humbucker)
- 2Marshall JCM800
- 3Dunlop Cry Baby wah
Amp Settings
Warmer and less hyper-defined than Surfing — the blues-influenced tone needs warmth and less precision. The wah provides rhythmic filtering on the intro. The tone is more organic than shred, reflecting the country/blues influence of the Flying in a Blue Dream album.
Technique
How to Play It
Wah-filtered rhythm with expressive bending — the wah provides a rhythmic accent pattern on the intro riff. The solo uses wide bends (up to a step and a half) with slow, confident vibrato, closer to a blues player than a shred player.
Budget Alternative
Achievable With
Humbucker guitar → Dunlop Cry Baby → Marshall or similar at moderate-high gain. Less technical than most Satriani; more about blues feel.
Your Gear
Adapt to My Amp
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