Here I Go Again

The recording

The 1987 recording was made with the guitars tuned a half-step down (E♭ Standard) and a Jackson Pro Series Soloist SL2 set to the bridge pickup. No external effects were documented; the sustain and subtle chorus-like width come from the amp's natural overdrive and the guitar's pickup.

Tuning E♭ Standard (E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭)

Reported gear

Jackson Pro Series Soloist SL2 (1987)

Guitar

Adrian Vandenberg (and the Whitesnake rhythm team) recorded the parts using a Jackson Pro Series Soloist SL2, a superstrat introduced in 1987, which contributed the tight attack and sustain heard on the track.

Marshall JCM800 2203 (early 1980s)

Amp

The guitar signal was run through a Marshall JCM800 2203 head, a 100-watt high-gain amp that defined the era's hard-rock tone and was used on the 'Here I Go Again' recording.

Alternatives

Jackson X Series Soloist

Modern equivalent · for the Jackson Pro Series Soloist SL2 (1987)

$500 to $700

Marshall JCM800 Reissue (2022)

Reissue · for the Marshall JCM800 2203 (early 1980s)

$1,500 to $2,200

Practical playing approach

Recreation guidance, not a claim about undocumented studio control positions.

1. 1.Tune all strings a half-step down to E♭ Standard.
2. 2.Select the bridge humbucker on the Jackson Soloist for maximum attack.
3. 3.Keep guitar volume moderate to let the amp's natural overdrive provide sustain.
4. 4.Add subtle reverb or studio chorus in the mix for the solo's width (optional).