Song Rig

To Be With You

Paul Gilbert · Lean Into It · 1991

Tone Overview

What Makes This Sound Unique

Mr. Big's acoustic-flavoured ballad showcases Paul's melodic side — clean fingerpicking into a warm combo, a world away from the shred tone. The restraint here is what makes it effective: sustained notes, deliberate vibrato, and clean articulation.

Signal Chain

1Ibanez RG (clean channel, neck pickup, volume 7)
2Fender or Marshall clean channel
3Slight hall reverb

Amp Settings

Gain / Volume2

Bass6

Mid7

Treble6

Reverb5

Completely clean — the chord melody intro uses minimal compression. Reverb adds space but should not wash out the pick attack of individual notes.

Technique

How to Play It

Fingerpicking with thumb and first two fingers — an unusual approach for a primarily plectrum player, chosen because it gives the chords a rounder attack than a pick. Paul's vibrato here is wide and slow, distinctly different from his shred vibrato.

Budget Alternative

Achievable With

Any clean-sounding guitar → Fender Blues Junior or any clean amp channel → medium hall reverb. A Stratocaster neck pickup captures the rounded warmth of the original.

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