When he was getting into guitar, SLASH had a lot of favorite bands! Among them are Aerosmith, Cheap Trick,
Black Sabbath, The Who, Ted Nugent. SLASH's favorite albums were Aerosmith's
Rocks, Cheap Trick's Live at Budokan, and UFO's Strangers in the Night.
SLASH swears by gear from certain manufacturers. If you want to sound
like SLASH, you might want to investigate this equipment. Here is a
list of equipment SLASH uses and manufacturers that SLASH endorses. Their logos
or banners are displayed here. Click on any of these, and you'll
be at the home page of one of these fine companies.
These manufacturers would be delighted to have you visit their sites.
Click any logo to visit one of these SLASH-endorsed sites!
To Return to the SLASH Official Fan Site's Main Menu, CLICK
ON THE PICTURE OF LES PAUL BELOW:
Want to know what makes the SLASH sound unique? Check out the man himself,
the equipment he uses, and his influences. SLASH's playing has its roots
in the blues-based,
hard rock and heavy metal styles of the mid-70's. He says he has
countless
influences but will name Led Zep's Jimmy Page, the Rolling Stones' Mick
Taylor, Eddie Van Halen and his hero, Jeff Beck. About the
amazing Jeff Beck, SLASH says, "It's a lot easier to appreciate Jeff Beck if you're a
guitar player. He just has such natural control over the instrument.
It's the ability to make it do something that you've never heard anybody
else do. Blow by Blow is the album I had when I was a kid. He would go from love
songs to a really blistering, hard-rock, heavy-sounding
guitar without ever going over the top."
SLASH is entirely self taught! He learned to play guitar by listening to
records and trying to mimic what he heard. He would play as much as 12 hours
a day, and one of the first songs he learned was Deep Purple's "Smoke on the
Water". He spent a lot of time playing along with Jeff Beck's records, too.
For a very short time he took lessons from guitarist Robert Wollan; but he
didn't want to learn the traditional way of playing scales and simple tunes,
SLASH wanted to play the intro to "Smoke on the Water"! As his playing improved,
he became interested in speed-metal and punk.
Groups like Metallica, Fear and
the Sex Pistols were his listening/playing bands. You can really hear that
punk influence in Guns N'Roses' The Spaghetti Incident?, a project largely
directed and produced by SLASH. Each band member selected songs for the
group to cover on TSI?. SLASH's choices were Fear's "I Don't Care About You",
T.Rex's "Buick MacKane" (SLASH on vocals), and Nazareth's "Hair of the Dog".
SLASH is a musician who likes all kinds of music. He enjoys Cat Stevens and
Joni Mitchell, and these influences are reflected in some of Guns N'Roses'
more melodic, sensitive songs like "Sweet Child O'Mine" which was primarily
written by SLASH. As most musicians do, SLASH likes classical music, particularly
that of composer Erik Satie.
SLASH's playing style is based around the blues and harmonic minor scales.
He plays with strong, melodic sensibilities. He relies on pentatonic minor
scales played in "blues box" positions for solos and and sometimes uses the
Aeolian and Dorian modes, the Mixolydian scale and pentatonic major scale.
SLASH often plays pedal-steel bends and uses the pentatonic major scale to
create leads that have a country sound. You can hear this in "Paradise City"
and "Coma". When playing rhythm, SLASH relies on power chords (a 2-note chord
played at an interval of a fifth), riffs played on the lower strings, or
arpeggiated figures. And he makes it look so easy!
SLASH's playing techniques are like those of the late '70's. He uses a wide, fast vibrato technique.
Using mainly his left hand for speed, SLASH uses pull-offs and hammer-ons
to sound notes. His right hand does muting, and you will see him rest his
hand on the bridge to make notes sound more percussive. This technique is
used for rhythm and lead playing. A good example of this is the very distinctive
"Welcome to the Jungle" intro.
SLASH's pick is held between his index finger and thumb, and he sometimes
plucks strings with his free fingers. Tonal variations are created by
changing pickup selections while he plays.
One of SLASH's favorite settings
for lead is the neck pickup with tone control rolled back. This is also
known as "woman tone" and is a favorite of Eric Clapton, too. SLASH also
likes to use feedback to sustain notes on solos and intros.
Most everyone seems interested in the hardware SLASH uses - what guitars
does he have, what strings does he use, and what about picks and amps
and effects? Just to show you that you don't have to have a $3,000 guitar
to get started, SLASH started out with a one string acoustic. His first electric
was a copy of a Gibson Explorer. Later guitars included a Memphis
Les Paul copy, a B.C. Rich Mockingbird, a B.C. Rich Warlock, a Fender
Stratocaster, a Jackson Firebird copy and a Charvel. Sadly, almost all of
these early SLASH guitars were sold to support his former drug habit.
SLASH!
Everyone knows SLASH favors the Gibson Les Paul guitar,
so you might be surprised to see the assortment in his
collection of 100+ guitars. There are Guild Acoustics,
B.C.Rich electrics, and more Gibsons than you can count!
SLASH owns several late-50's Les Paul Standards. Once,
a treasured Standard that originally belonged to Aerosmith's Joe Perry
came into SLASH's hands. Joe had had his favorite guitar taken by
his ex-wife or stolen (depending on which story you read), and a
dealer eventually got hold of it and offered it to SLASH. SLASH
snapped it up as it symolized all those wonderful Aero and rock shows
that were his influences. Joe pleaded with SLASH to have it returned, but
SLASH didn't - until Joe's 50th birthday when SLASH presented it as his
gift to Joe!
a '59 Les Paul copy, a '56 Les Paul gold top, a '69 Les
Paul custom, and several new Les Pauls that he plays on
stage. There are also a '59 Gibson Flying V, a '58
Gibson Explorer, two Ernie Ball/Music Man Silhouettes,
a '52 Fendor Telecastor, a '65 Fender Stratocaster, both a
'63 and a '65 Gibson Melody Maker, a 60's Gibson SG, and
a Fender 6 string bass all of which are used for
recording. Slash plays slide on a Travis Bean electric.
His acoustics include a Guild 12 string, a Gibson J-100, a Martin D-28
acoustic,
a Ramirez classical and a Dobro. There is also the
wonderful Gibson SLASH Signature Les Paul Classic model with the Snakepit insignia.
Most of SLASH's guitars are kept entirely stock.
Here's some additional information on the SLASH signature guitar. The original
red signature with the mother-of-pearl snake on the neck and painted snake
logo was made by the Gibson Customshop. The Gibson Customshop Slash Model
Les Pauls were made from 1996 to
1998. There were a total of 73 made; 75 If you count the 2 Slash owns. The
man who did the Snakepit carving on the top said that he is not doing any
more. This guitar retailed for around $8,000. They can be purchased from dealers
at prices higher than the original or as low as
from $4,800 to $5,500. It pays to be a cautious shopper. With the end
of manufacture byGibson
CustomShop, Gibson Epiphone brought out a similar but much less expensive
"copy". The guitar is also that beautiful red, but the snake logo is a
sticker rather than paint. The mother-of-pearl snake on the neck is missing.
There is just a white marking going up the neck. Still, it is a fine
guitar with great sound to it. SLASH had to pass judgment on it, and he
thinks the Epiphone is a good guitar.
At the SLASH's Snakepit 1999 pre-album shows, SLASH started showing off
his newest signature guitar. This beautiful double neck was designed by
SLASH and manufactured by Guild. The Crossroads Double Neck changes from
a wailing six-string to a mellow Guild 12-string with the flip of a mini-switch.
The body is carved from a solid mahogany block with an acoustic chamber under
the 12-string side. This chamber has a traditional rosewood bridge for a
true acoustic 12-string sound. The body of the electric side is solid
and sports SLASH's Seymour Duncan pickups. It is then coated with a laminated flame maple top and
finished in black, red, green, white or antique burst. It is now available
in a solid top AAA maple version. An absolutely stunning guitar to see and
hear. SLASH has the transparent green model, and he has dubbed his newest
signature guitar "Godzilla"!
SLASH selects from all these his main performance guitar. It is the '87 Gibson Les Paul
standard. He often uses
a B.C. Rich Mockingbird on stage, too. SLASH now tunes all his
guitars to standard A-440.
As for strings, SLASH uses Ernie Ball Slinky R.P.S. strings
of gauge 11-48. He likes to play with the
heaviest picks he can find and prefers purple Dunlop Tortex 1.14 mm picks.
Most all of his live guitars are equipped with Seymour Duncan Alnico II
pro humbuckers. His guitar straps are custom made.
SLASH is known for Gibson guitars and Marshall amps. Just as there is a
Gibson signature guitar for SLASH, there is also a SLASH signature amp.
At the end of 1998, the SLASH signature guitar was selling from $1800 to
$3500
(case included), and the SLASH amp for under $900 (includes
"snakeskin" cover). The SLASH amp was only manufactured in 1996, so it
is not always easy to locate.
For live appearances, the JCM SLASH Marshalls
are used for a dirty sound.
For the dirty tone, the SLASH recommended settings are:
Presence: 7, Bass: 7, Mid: 4.5, Treble: 7, Output Master: 6, Lead Master: 10,
Input Gain: 6.5.
The JCM SLASH Marshalls are used for a clean sound, too, when modified with
KT88 output tubes. The SLASH Marshall should be tuned this way for the
clean tone (SLASH recommendations): Presence: 0, Bass: 9, Mid: 3, Treble: 5 1/2,
Output Master: 10, Lead Master: 0, Input Gain: 4. The 2555 Silver Jubilee at 50 watts is used for the Heil Talk
box. All tubes are groove tubes.
Some more amp information: In 1987 the Silver Jubilee was issued as the
2555 model for that year only. In 1988 the 2555 model was issued in black
only for just that year and then discontinued. In 1998 Marshall issued the
JCM SLASH. It is an exact reproduction of the 2555 model. This was a
limited run. SLASH uses groove tubes, E34Ls output tubes, and GT12AX7 for
pre-amp (also known as ECC83), preferably #5 value output tubes. With
limited production of these amps, availability is only through the used
market. (Interested guitarists should contact Guitar Center for a
computerized list of all their stores.)
SLASH has a unique playing style that is reflected in his live setup. He
uses 4 Marshall 4 x 12 cabinets, 2 straight cabs stacked on top of 2 straights,
and all are loaded with 70 watt Marshall/Celestion Vintage 30 speakers. The
two top cabs are driven by two separate JCM SLASH signature amps dedicated
to his clean sound. Similarly, the two bottom cabs are driven by a a pair
of SLASH signature heads set for his distorted rhythm/lead tones. SLASH
has a fifth 2555 solely for use with a Heil Talkbox (see below).
The studio amps are: Marshall 2555 with EL34 output tubes and the Marshall
JCM 800 (modified) with 6550 output tubes. The signal is split with Bob Bradshaw
custom splitter system. A little more on the SLASH signature amp: It is the
first Marshall signature amp for any artist. The amp is based on the amp SLASH has
sworn by since day one, the Jubilee 2555 head of 1987. Many great artists,
including Hendrix, have sworn by Marshalls, but something unique about
SLASH's playing style led the company to recognize him above other guitarists.
Marshall has described SLASH as having a "...highly emotive yet fiery style,
[that is] in many ways timeless". They recognize SLASH's style as having
a retro 60s and 70s influence but always in a thoroughly modern style. The
signature amp is a handwired all valve amp which marries the legendary roar
of the 800 Marshall series power stage with a highly versatile pre-amp that
that boasted a footswitchable "LeadMaster" control which effectively makes
the 2555 a two channel head. By increasing the preamps gain when activated,
this feature allows the user to switch back and forth lead and rhythm at the
touch of a foot. The amp's versatility is enhanced by a Series effect loop
and a push/pull function on the input gain control which, when pulled out,
injects a subtle but effective distorted edge to the amp's rhythm tone.
A high output (100 watts)/low output (50 watts) switch adds even further
to the amp's flexibility and already wide tonal palette.
SLASH has two B.C.Rich signature guitars, too. This famous red Mockingbird is
featured in some Guns N'Roses videos (You Could Be Mine), a UK poster, and was used onstage.
It's a beauty, and it is the Mockingbird SL model. It retails for about $1800; but if
you shop around, you might get one closer to $1000 with case. The second is
the SLP which is basically the same guitar with a flamed maple top and
selling for a little over $2000. B.C.Rich has all kinds of options, so
if you check out their website, you can start with the SLASH signature
guitar and add all kinds of things to get it the way you want. Epiphone
was putting out a scaled down model of the SLASH signature Les Paul. These
go for around $700 or $800. One difference is that the snake is not in
mother of pearl here. Epiphone uses paint to help get that big price tag
down.
At the NAMM 2004 Winter show, Gibson
announced eight new signature guitars, and SLASH is one of the eight.
Some of the others were Jimmy Page, Zakk Wylde, Dimebag Darrell. This new
SLASH signature guitar is quite different from his first just in
appearance. The first, the Snakepit sig guitar, was a bright red with
mother of pearl inlay (see above). This second sig is a plain tobacco
sunburst. Instead of focusing on appearance, SLASH has gone for a focus
on making the guitar a real workhouse. Quoting the Gibson site:
Slash, whose new, stripped down signature Les Paul
focuses on utility (with blendable Duncan Alnico Pro IIs and a Fishman Powerbridge
for acoustic tones) instead of aesthetic elegance. These features allow the guitar to be
acoustic/classical. The new Slash Signature model focuses on utility over elegance. The
plain maple top and Custom Authentic finish combine with Duncan Alnico Pro II
humbuckers and a Fishman Powerbridge (which can be used by itself or blended with the
Duncans) to create an instrument that covers all the tonal bases. For information on the
Fishman Powerbridge, go to fishman.com.
Here are some details
from the Gibson site:
Body:
Top wood: Carved maple
Back wood: Solid mahogany
Binding: Single-ply cream on top
Available left-handed: No
Finish Colors: Custom Authentic Dark Tobacco Sunburst
Neck:
Neck construction: 1-piece mahogany with long neck tenon
Fingerboard wood: 22 fret rosewood
Inlays: Acrylic trapezoid
Binding: Single-ply cream
Profile: Slash custom
Scale length/Nut width: 24 3/4"; 1 11/16"
Strings: Brite wires .010-.046
Electronics & Hardware:
Pickups: Seymour Duncan Alnico Pro II humbuckers, Fishman Powerbridge
Controls: 2 volume, 2 tone, 3-way switch, 3-way mini-toggle for Fishman
Hardware color: Aged nickel
Bridge/Tailpiece: TOM with Fishman/Stopbar
Tuner style: Vintage tulip
Collateral: Custom Shopcase, Certificate of Authenticity, Custom Care Kit
All specs are subject to change without notice.
SLASH uses some effects when playing live.
On stage he uses a M.X.R.10 Band E.Q for lead boost and feedback enhancement.
When you see SLASH using the Wah-Wah pedal, he is using a Dunlop Rackmount
Wah Wah system. He also uses a Heil Talkbox, and Boss DD-3 Digital Delay.
SLASH also uses the DBX compressor and Yamaha SPX 900 for clean sound
processing.
He favors the Nady 950-GT Wireless System. All signals go through the
Bob Bradshaw Custom Splitter System.
"I just think of a particular type of guitar that will work for the song and
grab whatever happens to be in the front of storage. I try to make any
guitar do what I want it to do."
Guitar Player, 1/94
"My basic roots come from a certain hard rock background."
Guitar Player, 1/94
Eddie Kramer, working with SLASH on Stone Free: A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix:
"SLASH is completely the opposite of what I thought he'd be. He's very
focused and together."
Guitar Player, 12/93
Paul Rodgers, working with SLASH on Muddy Water Blues: A Tribute to Muddy
Waters:
"He was suggested to me and I asked 'Does SLASH play the blues?' I listened
to some of his things and realized he's a good player."
Guitar Player, 5/93
MANUFACTURER EQUIPMENT
Gibson Musical Instruments
Guitars (including SLASH signature)
Guild Guitars Guitars (including SLASH signature doubleneck)
Monster Cable Products, Inc. High performance audio cables
Ernie Ball Strings
Marshall Amplification Amps (including SLASH signature amp)
Seymour Duncan Pickups
Jim Dunlop USA Picks and Wah Pedal
