Matthias Jabs

In a video by RosGuitars Cort, Matthias Jabs is shown playing the Cort Garage 2 Matthias Jabs electric guitar on stage, highlighting his use of this signature model.

In the photo you can clearly see Matthias playing a worn black fender strat.

Matthias Jabs is known to use the Mastertone Orange 60 Watt guitar amplifier head, as detailed by MJ Guitars. This handcrafted tube amp features a versatile 2-channel system with clean and drive settings, switchable power options (60W or 30W), and a comprehensive effects loop, making it a powerful choice for both stage and studio.

In addition to the link above, the MJ-owned Gibson Explorer 90 can be seen on the website of guitar shop owned by Matthias Jabs: https://www.mjguitars.de/en/gibson-explorer-90-mj-1988.html?number=4055

Quote from MJ from the Vintage Guitar Magazine (http://www.vintageguitar.com/2851/matthias-jabs/): Have you relied on a Strat more than anything else during your tenure with the Scorpions? Well, for many years I was known for playing Explorers, and I still play them. I bought my first Explorer as soon as I joined, because I needed another guitar – one that could get a “Gibson sound.” In ’87, I made a suggestion to Gibson about a guitar that I play today; it’s called an Explorer 90 because it’s 90 percent of the normal body size – Explorers are very bulky.

In this video at 4:40 a Boss DS-1 distortion pedal can be seen.

This is the main guitar Matthias uses on Stage.

You can see this amp behind Matthias in the studio.

Matthias Jabs uses the Dommenget EX90 Galaxy, a standout piece in his stage performances, as detailed on the MJ Guitars website.

As you can see and hear, he used in on "Get Your Sting..." tour

The basic idea was a better follow up of the Jabocaster. It should be able to produce all the different sounds of the Scorpions, from wallcrashing heavy to ultraclean. All sounds should be available from the guitar controls. Also it should feature 24 frets.

The development took a couple of prototypes, the final model represents the optimum. This varity of sounds is possible by the use of the brandnew Dommenget patented pickups, carefully made to Matthias specifications.

For the reasons of sound we use the good old 4-hole steelplate to hold the neck. The connection is "wood-on-wood" non-laquered to enhance the sound even more (an old Jimi Hendrix trick with remarkable results).

The original Floyd Rose tremolo is mounted flat to the top (downwards only) for more sustain and stay-in-tune-ability.

Laquer ultra thin and hand polished, Nitro laquer, 15 coatings.

Matthias is in the studio with a Soldano behind him.

This image comes from the Bob Dommenget custom Guitars official site which shows Matthias Jabs with his signature Mastercaster.

in this video Ingo Powitzer guitar tech explaines that this is the pedal that "started it all".

Matthias is in the studio with this amp behind him on top of his Soldano.

In this video Ingo Powitzer guitar tech explains the switching system used by Mathias Jabs.

Matthias Jabs is associated with the Dommenget EX90 Stars electric guitar, as detailed on the MJ Guitars website. This solid body electric guitar features a striking white finish with black stripes and is equipped with chrome hardware, Kluson die-cast tuners, and 24 Dunlop 6150 frets. The guitar boasts a powerful sound with its two Dommenget Musclebucker pickups, offering high output and a unique tonal character. The EX90 Stars is crafted from airdried Korina with a 12 mm maple top and an ebony fretboard, providing a distinctive blend of playability and aesthetics. Additional features include a Schaller Floyd Rose tremolo, a carbon-reinforced neck, and a G&G custom case.

His effects are mainly installed in his rack, on the stage are just a Skrydstrup BR 1, a Boss Super Chorus and an MXR Smart Gate.

You can see the pedalboard photo in the article.

The pedal can be seen from 6:50 until 6:54. In addition, the guitar tech (I. Powitzer) is talking about the connection system.

In this video Ingo Powitzer guitar tech explains the switching system used by Mathias Jabs.

In this video Ingo Powitzer guitar tech explains the switching system used by Mathias Jabs.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cort_Arena1_Matthias_Jabs_Signature_(candy_apple_red)_-_2014_NAMM_Show.jpg

https://www.guitarworld.com/news/cort-introduces-arena-1-matthias-jabs-signature-guitar

Jabs signature guitar, played by him in the youtube link

The basic idea was a better follow up of the Jabocaster. It should be able to produce all the different sounds of the Scorpions, from wallcrashing heavy to ultraclean. All sounds should be available from the guitar controls. Also it should feature 24 frets.

The development took a couple of prototypes, the final model represents the optimum. This varity of sounds is possible by the use of the brandnew Dommenget patented pickups, carefully made to Matthias specifications.

Body : old german alder Neck : european maple, carbon-reinforced, medium D Fretboard : rosewood, long scale Inlays : Dot mother of pearl, Sign in fretboard Abalone / mother of pearl frets : jumbo Dunlop 6150 (Gibson) Machineheads : Kluson vintage style Bridge : FloydRose original Tremolo Schaller Strap Locks Pickup Bridge :"Masterbucker B"(HBSC combination Humbucker / Single Coil, patented ) Pickup middle : Funkstrat, reverse polarity Pickup Neck : "Masterbucker N" (HBSC combination Humbucker / Single Coil ) Colour: White Zebra

For the reasons of sound we use the good old 4-hole steelplate to hold the neck. The connection is "wood-on-wood" non-laquered to enhance the sound even more

( an old Jimi Hendrix trick with remarkable results ).

The original Floyd Rose tremolo is mounted flat to the top (downwards only) for more sustain and stay-in-tune-ability.

Laquer ultra thin and hand polished, Nitro laquer, 15 coatings.

FireAxe Flametop

Brand: Boris Dommenget Modell: FireAxe Country of origin: Germany Guitartype: Solidbody Body: Korina Top: Flamed maple 12 mm (Sunburst) Neck: Korina Neck profile: Medium C Fretboard: Ebony Fretboardinlays: Mother of pearl, abalony, Matthias Jabs Inlays Frets: Dunlop 6150 Measure: 635 mm Nut width: 43 mm Potis: 1 x Volume for every Pickup with coilsplit Push/Pull, Mastertone Pickup-switch: 3 way Toggle, Lead Switch Pickup: Dommenget Musclebucker Nut: Vintage bone Steg: Gotoh GE 103 Brücke, Zink Stoptail Tuner: Kluson, Chrome including case

FireAxe White

Brand: Boris Dommenget Modell: FireAxe Country of origin: Germany Guitartype: Solidbody Body: Korina Top: 6 mm maple (white) Neck: Korina Neck profile: Medium C Fretboard: Ebony Fretboardinlays: Mother of pearl, abalone, Matthias Jabs Inlays Frets: Dunlop 6150 Measure: 635 mm Nut width: 43 mm Potis: 1 x Volume for every Pickup with coilsplit Push/Pull, Mastertone Pickup-switch: 3 way Toggle, Lead Switch Pickup: Dommenget Musclebucker Nut: Vintage bone Steg: Gotoh GE 103 Brücke, Zink Stoptail Tuner: Kluson, Chrome including case

In this image Matthias Jabs plays a Dommenget EX Acoustic

Matthias Jabs, a proud D'Addario artist since 1999, uses the D'Addario Pro Winder String Winder and Cutter, as detailed on the D'Addario website.

Matthias’ most famous guitar is his 1976 Gibson Explorer. He painted it white himself in 1979. He then applied the black stripes with 2” wide gaffer tape. He eventually sent it to Gibson, where the iconic paint job was applied professionally. The pickups and gold hardware are stock, with the exception of Grover tuners.

At 47:38 you can see the Scorpions using Marshall stacks. It’s a JCM800 identifiable by the two toggles, 6 knobs, and 4 inputs.

At 0:05 in the video, you can see the Marshall JMP MKII Super Lead 100W amplifier behind Matthias Jabs. The larger toggle switches and the four inputs visible confirm that it is indeed a JMP model. This is supported by a source from Scorpions' official Facebook page.