How to Find the Perfect Guitar Pedal Order with Steve Vai 

I like Vai. He isn't here using his knowledge to tell you the "best" way, he's using his knowledge to explain how each one works and then allowing you to use that to change it as you see fit.

Mr. Vai and Mr. Satriani, have done more to unlock the secrets of guitar tone than anyone ever before. Bravo.

Steve Vai is not only an incredible musician.... He is an incredible human being

If Steve Vai walked into his bedroom and fell over his guitar it'd still be a great solo.

Steve Vai is an excellent teacher, and a guitar legend.

Oh that little Stevie Vai, such a nice boy....

This is the greatest pedal demonstration of all-time! Thank you Steve Vai & Musician’s Friend for making it happen 🤘🏽

LOVE Steve Vai's philosophy on practicing. Especially "being present" and "not criticizing yourself."

Was never a huge Vai fan ..but....his introspect and ability to explain tone in the simplest terms without sounding like a know-it-all, was refreshing..the things to with delays and putting them in the loop as apposed to the front of the amp were a learning for me..great video..

From 57:45, people, I can't stress enough how valuable it is what Steve says there! I'm sure he got these ideas from meditation, because that's basically what good meditation teachers talk about all the time - being present, in the moment, turning off the voice in your head, not talking to yourself, not judging, just watching yourself. This works in all aspects of life, not only music. And good call Brian about tricking your ego :)

I've found I sound the best when I connect my pedals in any random order, and leave one disconnected so no sound comes out.

I play a BOSS DS1 it sounds awful, Steve Vai plays it and it sounds awesome!

I love Steve Vai, what a great talent and a level head.... he's so genuine.

4:48 "kind of a decent kind of distortion" perfect description for that pedal id say

Steve Vai always has something to say about everthing in the universe and in very interesting way. I could just listen all day.

Steve is a smart guy. This was very enjoyable to watch and he's definitely a master of the guitar. Not into his stuff, didn't like his live show bored to tears, but this vid is fantastic. His ideas and philosophy on guitar and music is spot on.

When I was touring as a guitarist in the early 80's with Climax, a great guy named Craig Anderton from Guitar Player magazine helped me set up my rig and pedals. Everything was basically analog back then, so I added digital FX changes through time. I was using 2-100 watt Marshalls with slant front cabinets (miked up on 2 separate FOH channels), one clean and one over driven, with my guitar plugged into my Cry Baby wah, Boss pre-amp, and Boss compressor, and then to an A/B box, to choose the amp and FX set up for each amp. I had an FX loop installed in the rear of all of my Marshall heads (these are standard in many amps these days), so that I could cleanly insert my old Echo plex tape delay, Boss chorus, Fender tube reverb, and Eventide harmonizer. It's VERY important to insert all these "clean" type of FX through the rear FX loop, so that you are bypassing the pre-amp stage of your amp. If you plug all these clean type FX units into the front of your amp, it will sound VERY harsh, because as you turn your guitar volume knobs up, it will overdrive any effect, and raise the volume of the FX with the volume of the guitar. Though this is OK for a wah wah, pre-amp, or compressor pedal. This is all much the same, as when you are running FOH and separate monitor mixes on a mixer. You ALWAYS choose "Pre-fader" for your AUX monitor mixes, so that when your sound engineer brings up a fader in the FOH mix, that channel's volume doesn't also come up in any of the monitor mixes. As digital FX became better, I eventually bought 1 rack mount programmable digital FX unit, that would do 4-FX at the same time, and inserted it into my rear FX loop. I ALWAYS use the natural over drive or "distortion" from my amp, by setting the master volume at a lower level than my output volume, to give me that nice rock over drive for rock rhythms and solos, as I turned my guitar volume knobs up. This is how our "old school" greats such as Page, Clapton, Beck, and many other did it, and it is STILL the best method for achieving a REAL good over driven rock sound, that is controllable simply by turning your guitar volume knobs up and down. The pre-amp pedal right before the amps input, is what will give you that little extra drive. Around 1990, many amps started having switchable channels, one clean and one over driven, and that eliminated the need for me to have 2 separate amps on stage, with 2 separate FX set ups and an A/B box to choose amps. I switched to using a Peavey Heritage VTX, and had a great sound for all the rock and also more jazzy rock type Steely Dan,. Satriani, Eric Johnson...etc music I performed. These days, I'm not gigging much, and I am using a small Line 6 amp, with all the internal programmable FX patches, with a Line 6 foot pedal, and my 2 matching 35 year old Fender Stratocaster Elite guitars (one black, one white)...Peace!

Interviewers should be like this guys, he has solid insight, makes intelligent questions, and most importantly, shuts up when he has to.

I love how deep and philosophical Steve gets toward the end... always enjoy hearing him talk about concepts like this, he's quite articulate with such things. Much enjoyed!

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I think this man is awesome in his advice. Thank you Steve. I wish someday I get to thank you in person for helping me keep the faith in myself.

I think Zach Galifianakis did a fine job interviewing Steve here...! But where are the two ferns..?

Hes just the sweetest, kindest, most down to Earth guy, guitar aside, just the nicest guy.

I think Steve is talking about getting to the Alpha state of mind. One needs to eliminate the background noise of everyday living, because creativity is a very quiet sound, but it can come through if you let it. It's a question of knowing how to open the door. It's all there waiting. I was intrigued when he said that he was not a natural guitar player. I'm sure many people would find this hard to believe, but it shows how humble he is. He has worked very hard and achieved fantastic ability. He is very philosophical, and understands what is going on. Great stuff!

Steve is not only a great guitar player but is a really cool guy. He comes across as a real. Really enjoyed that video.

Now to the important question: where can one get those coffee mugs??

I only have one question: where can I get one of those bitchin Boss coffee mugs????

One of the most informative Steve Vai interviews ever. I learned so much.

He is NOT using his delay pedals in front of his other pedals. The reason why his rig is difficult to explain is because of the way his amp functions. Most guitarists (especially those who are just starting out) will set up their signal path in a basic way like this: guitar > pedals > front of the amp. Steve wanted to set up his rig so that it sounds cleaner, more like a guitar going directly into an amp. Since lot of his driven sound comes directly from the dirty channel on his amp, he's not going to want the modulations/delays affecting the clarity of his guitar alone. Basically, his signal path works something like this: Guitar > wah > distortion > front of the amp THEN in the back of the amp there is an FX Loop, which responds to the pedals that were plugged into the FRONT of the amp. This way his chorus and delays are not going to sound like crap when he switches to the EQed/dirty channel on his amp. So, the signal path for the FX Loop would look something like this: Back of the amp (FX Loop) > volume pedal > chorus splits the signal into stereo > delay 1 returns to the back of amp 1 and delay 2 returns to the back of amp 2. So, as you can see, this can be quite complicated to someone who is not familiar with this type of amp set up.

This video has changed my life. That monitor situation on stage he talked about is genius. His explanation of everything has taught me a lot.

"Are you flanging a delayed signal or delaying a flanged signal?" That's almost philosophical.

The closing conversation to the video was clearly impressive and highlighted Steve’s true artistic success

Great deep interview ! Steve Vai is humble and passionnate as usual. Great man . Thanks !

Vai's playing is very sunny and optimistic sounding.

I'm you big fan from Thailand. I firstly intend to learn you technique about paddle stuff, but you also give me a nice perspective as a good artist. I love what you said "art is an inspiration" "you need an inspiration to express your technique". That's so true. Art always makes the difference that why we are different. Thank you very much.

Professor Vai does great and informative interviews..No doubt...

The excellent interview Steve gave Lee Anderton was mind blowing. I came to see Steve in a new light as a very wise rockstar and Lee did a great job of letting the interview flow without interrupting and then asking questions pertinent to what had just been said Consequently the conversation developed in a direction I don't think anyone expected - I came away inspired by what Steve had shared and with heightened respect for them both.

"This guy has played with Zappa and Roth"...like if that was the greatest thing MR STEVE VAI has done. You are in the presence of greatness young man. Is not cool to introduce one of the greatest guitarist of all time as if he was a hired gun.

tHERE IS SOOO MUCH MORE IN THIS INTERVIEW THAN I EVER EXPECTED!!! THANK YOU GUYS BOTH FOR SHOWING US STUFF WE NEED TO KNOW! gREETINGS FROM ATHENS GREECE !!

I love how he can't even finish a sentence with real words. Everything is "And then it goes BRBRBRBBBRBRBR, and then BRIIRIRIRBRIRIRIBRBRUUU," "but if you....brbrbrbbrbrfiiiiiiiiiiuuuuuu....you see?" "or you can BOBOBOBIBIBOOBOBYBBRBRBRBRBBRBRUIIIAUAUUYYYYY....see?" XD. Steve is awesome.

Steve is and always will be a ray of light in the world. Such a soulful and mindful guy. The little Italian Virtuoso!

love when Steve just goes off on a wild informational teaching tangent. Great mind. Now only if I could play like him.

Any number of boutique makers would kill to have Steve use their pedals, but he uses stock(?) Boss delays and the DS-1 is his go-to box. Shows what a lot of stupid snobbery there is about gear.

Like Vai said in this video i think the biggest part of his sound comes from playing in stereo with the two delay pedals offset from each other running to two different cabs. Running your guitar straight into an amp with the same effects he uses is only half the battle.

Approach of 3 dimensions for sound: Pan - Horizontal Axis. EQ - Vertical Axis. Reverb, delays, modulation - Depth Axis. (better if stereo)

What a rad session ! Vai is an absolute genius and such a kind and generous teacher .

I feel I'm doing something right now..... tinkling around with no thought for improvisational benefit for an hour - yep that's me. Seriously though Steve Vai. what a truly inspirational player he is, and what a galaxy of knowledge he shares.

The post it notes on his guitar are reminders of how to play Am C and G chords.

It's great to know that super maestro Steve Vai agrees with me! I have my MT-2 Metal Zone and CS-3 Compressor Sustainer going in through the amp's "front door" and my modulation effects (CE-5 Chorus Ensemble, DD-7 Delay and BF-3 Flanger) through the Send and Return loop) since I use a lot of gain, there is one additional, essential pedal: the NS-2 Noise Suppressor. I also have a GT-100 multi-effects box for e.g. wah, loop recording, phaser, rotary effects and other occasional uses.

I had to change my comment from before. In the beginning of the interview, the host seems very dull and couldn't care less, interrupts, not disagrees, but appears just to not care. However after the break and when he appears towards the very end, he is much more alive and interacting with steve, and that's where the conversation really flows. From a viewer's perspective there's a development there. The last bit is much more rewarding than the beginning. Steve is a Monster as a performer, he's a library when it comes to guitar and even life philosophy, but moreso he's a very open and grounded person. He needs that sparring, you can tell. It's nice to see the host come alive towards the end.

It's sad to learn how many of the comments here come out of some sort of envy rather than from a person that is really willing to learn something they have the chance to take or leave. To me, this kind of video tutorials are like food. I do not think whether they're good or bad, I just store them and wait to see when they'll become useful. That being said I´ll keep on enjoying this cool lesson.

Steve Vai make it look so simple that it inspired me to play more and more. Thanks Steve.

the interviewer sit like a boss and look like Steve Vai is work for him lol, poor Steve

THAT CUP IS FANTASTIC!

Thanks for enabling the future...Steve gives insight for current players to excel and beginners to become masters..great info.

For me the most important concept Steve expresses occurs at around 52:40 in which he essentially explains that mere vocabulary is cold and unmoving if one doesn't also have something to say. Anyone who does repetitions will become fast but that speed will have no meaning if it isn't accompanied by or used to express a communicable, coherent emotion. If the passion becomes lost in technique, the technique is rendered useless or even destructive.

Steve, i just found this video and man you still inspire me.

The host didn't seem like he really knew who Steve Vai is... "If you look at our guitar heros, they" He IS a goddamn guitar hero!

Brian is tripping over his own words ....he is obviously a fan.... fun to watch. Thanks for the info!!!!

I still use the same ds-1 I got when I was 15. So...32 years of use and still going strong. Granted, it's not on for every song, these days but it's still on the board.

13:26 - Flanger = oOoAUoOo 13:41 - Phaser = rRroAUorRr Adore that!!! The best way to describe it with the mouth.

This video is gold and Vai is an angel for doing this!

On this episode of "Between Two Ferns" we have Steve Vai.

It's amazing Steve's ability to play with the combinations, and his unique way of playing ... is a unique journey to endless possibilities .... I've been steve since I was 10 years old .. :) I would love to see a video like this with other guitarists like Joe Satriani, andy timmons and John petruti ... would be awesome ... please .. thanks friends

So Steve runs the delays through the loop (back of the amp)... but the distortion goes from guitar->pedal->front of amp right?

I can't help but feel that God blessed us when he created Steve Via. Thankful that he shares his wisdom... thank you for this video Really blessed my heart...so grateful to see this....thank you 🙏

"It's a Tuna'"?

This is a must see for any guitar player, beyond the pedal order theme, at the end there some nice reflections and tips.

Where can I get one of those Boss mugs seen on the end table at 1:07? :o

I'm not a fan of Steve Vai's music. But He's a Great Guy And An Excellent Musician. This is The best Explanation of pedals and effects I've ever heard.

I have Steve's mini guitar lessons I got in 1984. The score to salamanders in the sun. An autographed photo of Steve on his green chopper #219. All his first newsletters. Guitar Player Magazine, Steve's first cover. (Hat & Floral) Steve's name badge from various tower records. Flexable leftover EP vinyl (pulling on pink heart) Plus a million other things I can't think of right now. But an original floral pattern Jem would be the bee's knee's, IMHO. More so than a numbered and signed green meanie. More so than a prototype straight rout handle in natural finish. Also, I thought it would be cool to line a leather or denim jacket with the floral pattern that was Steve's curtains at home.

Jeez, what a guy. So nice to see a guitar player of his stature who knows his shit!

I have that exact same pedal board. Very handy to carry around with the lid, folds up like a briefcase.

I don't get all this Vai hatrid around here.. He has an awesome set up and is a fairly decent player.

I just CAN'T imagine a world without Steve Vai and Joe Satriani in it. I do admire the guitarist they love but these two men are of my generation and are of great inspiration to me. Thank You Steve, maybe one day before either one of us passes away, I can get a chance to see you live..Much love and take care.

boss pedals have always been my favorite. actually they are the only pedals I've found useful over the years. my blues driver and sd1 out perform any other drive pedals I've tried. I finally sold both of my tube screamers .i tried to use them but boss wins every time. and boss delay is by far the best digital delay. my analog delay has a warm sound and I'm no purist but that's all I need . I like how Steve via does his effects it's similar to my setup. of course I'm just a novice but a couple years ago a friend suggested since I have a few amps try splitting my signal with my boss stereo chorus . I've never looked back . next thing ima do is have a delay with different times in each amp. thanks Steve for explaining these tricks.my tone is great but it's always cool to do something different can't wait to hear this in true stereo. I've been doing two different times but it was mono . well here's an update. the delay sounds great in the bedroom . probably not a big difference to a live audience but I think it improves the sound overall so ima keep it this way. it feels so good anyways. this video was cool and helped me have a little fun 👍👍

I know this is an old video but I’m just seeing it now and it’s amazing. If you don’t watch the whole thing at least skip to the questions at the end. It’s gold. 50:27

That was some deep stuff at the end, but real good to hear. I totally agree with Steve and have been fortunate enough to just recently experience that in my playing-but I've been at it a long time. Better late than ever:)

59:40 Eckhart Tolle

A master class from a guitar wizard (wise-ard/wiseman) - it's taken me years to figure that out in life, ego mastery, when I do play without thinking, it's the best, but then my brain trips me up LOL! I bought a Carvin amp, because SV plays through em, can I play like him? Not a chance, BUT, buying a Carvin amp really helped my playing back then. And what a nice, thoughtful guy SV is, superb player, very humble too.

Has to be one of the best videos I have ever watched. The last minutes and the question time were great :)

What a fantastic pair of ears. I've never heard or seen these great explanations and demonstrations before. Terrific video.

Holy shnikes this man's buttery smooth in everything. One of the best on the planet and has a signature sound--for those who are into that kind of thing. He has an incredibly sensitive ear for timbres and nearly imperceptible subtleties.

I've just falled in love with that boss pedal cofee mug😉🤠

Vai is such a cool down to Earth guy it's refreshing.I sat and tried to adsorb his experience until the splitting and reverse signals mic's I wish I had a studio just to use what I own LOL.

Great video. Thanks Vai for your detailed explanation of the delay position and different output options. That was so helpful. My distorted delay is no longer choked.

One thing that Steve said i do already, is to become one with the guitar before bedtime. Great way to unwind 🤘🤘🤘🤘

Translation: Hey! Don't interrupt me or it'll be like an ice pick in your forehead!! Hahaha!

WOW, He is one well grounded guy who is also a great player.

Thank you so much for this video! Steve is a great musician, producer, composer, but, the most important, he's a very special human,! He explain then mean of the music,!!! Amazing man. !

I love the tone he gets with using the same brand pedals across the board.

I love boss! I've tried em all, even these new mi I pedals that are all the rage, but I have to say I always go back to boss! 5 year warranty on a piece of equipment you tread on to turn it on? Can you imagine if you had to tread on you iPhone to turn it on? You would get a warranty on that

I love the spiritual sense of his playing...

I think Steve's insight is invaluable, what more experience could you ask for to help you figure out what to listen for in pedals? I appreciate the info!!

Steve Vai is both talented and philosophical. We have much to learn from him.

When the master talks I listen - thanks for this amazing lesson!

Wow, Just found this. What an awesome video. Steve is such an awesome human being. It must be nice to actually know him personally.

He is an incredible human being !

Only Steve could make a ds1 sound good

Best pedal video on RU-vid.