Introduction (Overview of Tone)
Slash, the iconic guitarist of Guns N’ Roses, is renowned for his thick, sustaining sound achieved through the use of his signature Les Paul guitars and Marshall amplifiers. His unique tone has influenced countless guitarists around the world.
His impressive arpeggios in “Sweet Child O’ Mine,” the emotional solos in “November Rain,” and the aggressive riffs in “Welcome to the Jungle” are hallmarks of his playing style. The combination of the midrange thickness characteristic of the Les Paul and the natural distortion from Marshall tube amps creates a one-of-a-kind sound.
Slash’s tone is not merely a result of his gear; it also stems from his distinctive fingerings and melodic phrasing. While using the same equipment may not yield the same sound, understanding his gear setup and settings can help you get closer to achieving a “Slash-like” sound.
His gear choices consistently balance “stage presence” and “recording thickness,” showing subtle changes over the years. For instance, during his debut in 1987, he primarily used the Gibson Les Paul Standard ’87 and a Chris Derrig-built 1959 Les Paul replica. In the 2010s, he introduced his signature models and the Marshall AFD100.
Understanding this gear history and sound tendencies is the first step to recreating Slash’s sound. Below, we will delve into the amplifiers, guitars, effects, and sound settings he employs.
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List of Amplifiers and Features
When discussing Slash’s sound, the presence of Marshall tube amplifiers is essential. He has consistently relied on Marshall amps since his debut, with their iconic distortion and sustain forming the core of his sound.
During the recording of “Appetite for Destruction” in 1987, he famously used a modified Marshall JMP1959 Super Lead (by Tim Caswell). This amp, with higher gain than a standard Plexi, played a crucial role in creating Slash’s thick lead tone. He frequently used the JCM800 2203 and JCM Silver Jubilee series (JCM 2550/2555) on stage, tailoring his settings to emphasize the punchy midrange characteristic of the Jubilee for live performances.
In the 2000s, he incorporated his signature models like the Marshall JCM 2555SL (Slash Signature Silver Jubilee) and the Marshall AFD100 (a signature amp inspired by “Appetite For Destruction”). These models have become iconic for reproducing his sound in both studio and live settings. Additionally, he utilizes the Marshall Vintage Modern 2466 and Plexi 1987 (50W) for versatility in tone depending on the situation.
During his time with Velvet Revolver, he also experimented with the Vox AC30 for recordings and used small Fender tube amps for creating “odd sounds.” While he consistently uses Marshall for live performances, his recording choices reveal a diverse palette.
For cabinets, he primarily uses the Marshall 1960BV (loaded with Celestion Vintage 30s) and 1960BX (loaded with Celestion Greenbacks). The Vintage 30s provide punchy mids and tight lows, ideal for highlighting lead solos, while the Greenbacks deliver a warm, classic distortion, allowing him to choose based on the song or venue size.
In summary, Slash’s amplifier setup can be described as starting with modified Plexis, solidified with the Silver Jubilee, and perfected with signature models. While he primarily relies on Marshall, he also incorporates Vox and Fender in the studio for added flexibility.
| Gear | Brand | AmazonURL | Band | Guitarist | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marshall AFD100 | Marshall | Amazon | Guns N’ Roses | Slash | Signature model designed to replicate the sound of Appetite For Destruction (released in 2010). |
| Marshall JCM 2555SL Slash Signature | Marshall | Amazon | Guns N’ Roses | Slash | Reissue of the Silver Jubilee, widely used in live performances. |
| Marshall JMP1959 Super Lead (modified by Tim Caswell) | Marshall | Amazon | Guns N’ Roses | Slash | Used during the recording of Appetite for Destruction. |
| Marshall JCM800 2203 | Marshall | Amazon | Guns N’ Roses | Slash | A representative model used on tour, including modified versions. |
| Vox AC30 | Vox | Amazon | Velvet Revolver | Slash | Used in recordings during the Velvet Revolver era. |
| Marshall 1960BV Cabinet | Marshall | Amazon | Guns N’ Roses | Slash | Loaded with Celestion Vintage 30s, ideal for lead solos. |
| Marshall 1960BX Cabinet | Marshall | Amazon | Guns N’ Roses | Slash | Loaded with Celestion Greenbacks, providing a warm, classic tone. |
Types of Guitars Used and Features
At the heart of Slash’s sound is, of course, the Gibson Les Paul. He owns numerous models, including original vintage guitars, replicas, and custom shop versions, all contributing to the thick midrange and rich sustain that define his tone.
During the “Appetite for Destruction” era, his main guitar was the Chris Derrig-built 1959 Les Paul Standard Replica. While it visually resembles a real ’59 Burst, it is a handmade replica that ultimately established the sound synonymous with Slash. He has also been seen using the Gibson Les Paul Standard ’87 (which had a neck repair) during live performances.
Over the years, he has used various models, including replicas of the 1958, 1959, and 1960 Gibson Les Paul Standards, as well as Goldtop models from ’56 and ’57, depending on the situation. In the 2000s, he actively used signature models like the Gibson Les Paul Slash Signature and the “Appetite for Destruction” reissue, making them accessible to fans. The Epiphone Slash Signature model, in particular, has gained popularity among guitarists seeking Slash’s tone at a more affordable price.
Additionally, he has utilized a double-neck guitar, the Gibson EDS-1275, for stage presence, as well as classical semi-hollow guitars like the Gibson ES-335. He has also played various guitars with distinct characters, such as the Firebird VII, Flying V, and Explorer. For acoustic performances, he has used guitars like the Gibson J-100, Guild 12-string, and Martin D-28 to support the deep resonance in ballads.
During his time with Velvet Revolver and Snakepit, he has also used B.C. Rich Mockingbird and Warlock guitars, showcasing a blend of visual appeal and sound. In unique cases, he has employed a Travis Bean for slide work and a First Act GarageMaster for promotional purposes.
Thus, while Slash’s guitar choices primarily revolve around the Les Paul, he demonstrates flexibility by using a diverse range of guitars tailored to the song or live performance. This results in a classic “Les Paul + Marshall” combination while allowing for varied expression depending on the era or situation.
| Gear | Brand | AmazonURL | Band | Guitarist | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gibson Les Paul Standard ’87 | Gibson | Amazon | Guns N’ Roses | Slash | Electric Guitar | Used during early live performances; has a neck repair history. |
| Gibson Les Paul Standard 1959 Replica (Chris Derrig) | Gibson | Amazon | Guns N’ Roses | Slash | Electric Guitar | Main guitar during the Appetite era; a legendary replica. |
| Gibson Les Paul Goldtop ’56, ’57 | Gibson | Amazon | Guns N’ Roses | Slash | Electric Guitar | Used in ballads and specific tours. |
| Gibson Les Paul “Appetite for Destruction” Reissue | Gibson | Amazon | Guns N’ Roses | Slash | Electric Guitar | Limited to 600 units; features Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro Slash pickups. |
| Gibson EDS-1275 | Gibson | Amazon | Guns N’ Roses | Slash | Electric Guitar (Double Neck) | Used in songs like “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door.” |
| B.C. Rich Mockingbird | B.C. Rich | Amazon | Velvet Revolver / Snakepit | Slash | Electric Guitar | Frequently used during the Snakepit era. |
| Martin D-28 | Martin | Amazon | Guns N’ Roses | Slash | Acoustic Guitar | Used in acoustic songs like “Patience.” |
Effects and Pedalboard Setup
One of the key elements supporting Slash’s sound is his diverse array of effects. However, his style is characterized by not layering excessive effects but rather combining a minimal number of pedals to enhance the natural tone of the guitar and amp.
Notably, he frequently uses Dunlop wah pedals, particularly the “Dunlop Cry Baby Classic Wah” and the “Dunlop SW95 Slash Signature Wah,” which are staples on stage. He also employs the “Rack Crybaby” and controls it with an Ernie Ball volume pedal for a more stable performance.
For distortion, he uses the “MXR M104 Distortion+” and the “MXR SF-01 Slash Octave Fuzz.” The former serves as a boost, helping to push the amp’s gain for lead parts, while the latter adds a unique fat sound with its octave fuzz. Additionally, the “MXR M103 Blue Box” is used in the studio for intentionally extreme sounds.
For spatial effects, he primarily uses digital delays like the “BOSS DD-3” and “DD-5,” along with the “MXR M234 Analog Chorus” and “MXR M159 Tremolo Pan,” to add depth to solos and arpeggios. In songs like “November Rain,” the combination of delay and reverb creates a rich spatial thickness.
He also incorporates auxiliary effects like the “MXR 10-band EQ” and “BOSS GE-7” to fine-tune his tone according to the acoustics of each venue. Noise control is managed with devices like the “Rocktron Hush II CX” and “DBX 166 Compressor,” ensuring a stable performance. His rack system includes tuners like the “Yamaha SPX 900” and “Peterson Strobe Tuner” as well.
In essence, Slash’s pedalboard is not simply minimalistic; it effectively incorporates necessary effects while maintaining the foundation of “Les Paul + Marshall.” While changes may occur based on the era or tour, his philosophy remains consistent.
| Gear | Brand | AmazonURL | Band | Guitarist | Effect Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dunlop SW95 Slash Signature Wah | Dunlop | Amazon | Guns N’ Roses | Slash | Wah Pedal | Signature wah designed to Slash’s specifications. |
| MXR M104 Distortion+ | MXR | Amazon | Guns N’ Roses | Slash | Distortion | Used as a boost for lead parts. |
| MXR SF-01 Slash Octave Fuzz | MXR | Amazon | Guns N’ Roses | Slash | Fuzz | Designed specifically for Slash, providing octave fuzz. |
| BOSS DD-3 Digital Delay | BOSS | Amazon | Guns N’ Roses | Slash | Delay | Creates spatial effects for solos and ballads. |
| MXR 10-band EQ | MXR | Amazon | Guns N’ Roses | Slash | Equalizer | Used for tone correction based on venue acoustics. |
| Rocktron Hush II CX | Rocktron | Amazon | Guns N’ Roses | Slash | Noise Reduction | Reduces noise during loud performances. |
| Heil Talkbox | Heil | Amazon | Guns N’ Roses | Slash | Vocoder | Used in songs like “Anything Goes.” |
Tone Settings, EQ, and Mixing Approaches
Slash’s approach to sound design emphasizes maximizing the natural qualities of the guitar and amp while utilizing careful EQ adjustments and effects to achieve the appropriate sound for each song. Here, we will detail his amp settings, EQ, song-specific adjustments, and mixing techniques.
Basic Amp Settings
When using Marshall amps, Slash typically keeps the gain moderate, allowing the amp’s natural drive to shine through. He sets the pre-gain around 6-7 and the master volume higher to drive the tubes, achieving a warm distortion. For tone settings, he emphasizes the mids with Bass at 5-6, Mid at 7-8, and Treble at 6-7, ensuring that the lead play has a singing quality. The presence is often adjusted between 5-7 depending on the venue and PA environment.
Song-Specific Adjustments
In “Sweet Child O’ Mine,” he opts for a crunchy setting, keeping the gain low to maintain clarity in the arpeggios. In contrast, for songs like “Welcome to the Jungle” and “Paradise City,” he pushes the mids further, adjusting the EQ to ensure the guitar stands out in the mix. In “November Rain,” he actively uses delay and chorus to enhance the solo’s resonance, applying spatial processing effectively.
EQ and Auxiliary Processing
During live performances, he utilizes the MXR 10-band EQ and BOSS GE-7 to boost the 200Hz-400Hz range, ensuring midrange presence according to the venue’s acoustics. In venues prone to feedback, he may cut frequencies around 2kHz, adjusting as necessary. Additionally, he uses the Distortion+ to boost volume during solos, ensuring the guitar remains prominent in the overall mix.
Mixing and Studio Techniques
In the studio, he often doubles a single guitar track left and right to create a wall of sound. Particularly in “Appetite for Destruction,” he centers the Les Paul + Marshall sound while incorporating Fender and Vox amps for subtle tonal variations, building a thick mix. The engineer focuses on retaining the midrange, ensuring that the guitar maintains its presence alongside vocals and drums.
Effect Placement
Wah and talkbox effects are used as accents within songs, and his signal chain is straightforward. Typically, it follows the order of “guitar → wah → distortion/booster → EQ → amp,” with spatial effects (delay and chorus) processed via send-return. This setup ensures that spatial effects remain clear and not buried in distortion.
PA and Live Adjustments
During live shows, Slash’s tech, Adam Day, utilizes the KORG DTR-2000 and Peterson tuners to maintain stable pitch. In the PA mix, they often suppress low-end frequencies while emphasizing the midrange, ensuring the guitar remains clear even in stadium-sized venues.
Overall, Slash’s settings can be summarized as focusing on midrange, utilizing the natural distortion of the amp, and making precise adjustments with EQ and auxiliary effects. Understanding this philosophy is key to getting closer to his sound.
Affordable Alternatives to Recreate the Tone
While achieving Slash’s sound typically requires expensive gear like Gibson Les Pauls and Marshall signature amps, these can be out of reach for beginners and intermediate players. Here, we will explore more affordable gear (ranging from $100 to $500, with an upper limit of $1,000) that can help you get closer to Slash’s tone.
Guitar Selection
The Epiphone Les Paul Standard series is a prime example of a model that can replicate the Gibson sound character at a lower price point. In particular, the Epiphone Slash Les Paul Standard model closely resembles his signature model in appearance and sound, featuring pickups that emulate the Alnico II Pro, allowing for a similar lead tone. Pairing this with Ernie Ball Power Slinky strings can further enhance the tension and feel reminiscent of Slash’s playing.
Amp Selection
While Marshall signature models can be pricey, options like the “Marshall DSL20CR” and “Marshall MG30FX” are more budget-friendly. The DSL series, in particular, features tube technology, making it easier to express the midrange thickness characteristic of British sound, ideal for emulating Slash’s tone. For practice or home recording, the “BOSS Katana” series is also recommended for its built-in effects and flexible EQ.
Effect Selection
A wah pedal is essential, and the “Dunlop Cry Baby GCB95” is a classic, affordable choice. Additionally, combining it with the “BOSS SD-1 Super OverDrive” for boosting can enhance lead tones effectively. The “BOSS DD-7” is a cost-effective delay option that adds depth to solos. For those looking to save further, multi-effects units like the “ZOOM G1 FOUR” or “BOSS GT-1” are practical alternatives.
Key Considerations
Even when using budget gear, it’s crucial to focus on “EQ adjustments that emphasize midrange,” “string and pick selection,” and “keeping distortion moderate to leverage the amp’s characteristics.” For instance, choosing a Dunlop Tortex 1.14mm pick and using Ernie Ball Power Slinky strings can significantly alter the nuances of your playing.
In conclusion, you don’t necessarily need to invest in expensive Gibsons or Marshalls; utilizing affordable options from Epiphone, BOSS, and ZOOM, along with thoughtful EQ and string/pick choices, can allow you to experience a sound reminiscent of Slash.
| Type | Gear | Brand | AmazonURL | Band | Guitarist | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guitar | Epiphone Slash Les Paul Standard | Epiphone | Amazon | Guns N’ Roses | Slash | Equipped with Alnico II Pro-like pickups, an affordable Slash model. |
| Amp | Marshall DSL20CR | Marshall | Amazon | Guns N’ Roses | Slash | Tube amp with midrange thickness; suitable for practice and small gigs. |
| Amp | BOSS Katana 50 MkII | BOSS | Amazon | Guns N’ Roses | Slash | Capable of reproducing Slash’s tones with a variety of built-in effects. |
| Wah Pedal | Dunlop Cry Baby GCB95 | Dunlop | Amazon | Guns N’ Roses | Slash | A classic wah essential for recreating Slash’s style. |
| Overdrive | BOSS SD-1 Super OverDrive | BOSS | Amazon | Guns N’ Roses | Slash | Effective for boosting during leads; affordable and widely available. |
| Delay | BOSS DD-7 Digital Delay | BOSS | Amazon | Guns N’ Roses | Slash | Ideal for adding depth to ballads and solos. |
| Multi-Effects | ZOOM G1 FOUR | ZOOM | Amazon | Guns N’ Roses | Slash | Affordable option capable of replicating wah, delay, and distortion. |
Summary and Conclusion
Reflecting on Slash’s sound design, its essence lies in the classic combination of “Les Paul + Marshall.” This simple yet powerful tone is uniquely shaped by his fingerings and melodic phrasing.
His guitar choices revolve around the Gibson Les Paul, utilizing replicas from 1959, Goldtops, and signature models to create a sound rich in thickness and sustain. His amplifiers, primarily the Marshall JMP1959 and Silver Jubilee, have evolved over time with the introduction of signature models, always pursuing a British sound with an emphasis on midrange. His effects are minimal, strategically using wah, delay, and boosters to adapt to the nuances of each song.
The key to his sound is “keeping gain low while emphasizing midrange.” While many guitarists seek heavy distortion, Slash intentionally leverages the natural drive of his amp, using EQ and boosters to achieve a tone that resonates melodically. This approach ensures that the guitar maintains its presence within the band.
Moreover, his flexibility in live and studio settings is notable. On stage, he delivers a powerful rock sound primarily through Marshall, while in the studio, he incorporates Fender and Vox for added depth. These choices reflect a mindset focused on enhancing the music rather than mere gear dependence.
For beginners and intermediates, utilizing Epiphone Les Pauls and BOSS effects while being mindful of EQ and picking nuances can effectively recreate the essence of Slash’s sound. The emphasis should be on understanding “midrange-focused settings” and the subtleties of strings, picks, and playing techniques rather than solely relying on expensive gear.
In conclusion, Slash’s sound design is built on a combination of “simple gear configuration” and “a solid performance philosophy.” To get closer to his sound as a guitarist, one must not only mimic the gear but also embody the melodic essence and expressiveness inherent in his playing. This is the core of the captivating Slash sound that continues to inspire guitarists worldwide.
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