Slash
Guns N’ Roses guitarist
Role
Genre
Role
Genre
Slash's Gear
In his autobiographic book, Slash by Anthony Bozza (2007), he says he used a ‘58 Gibson Explorer to record the solo for Knockin’ on Heaven's Door, included in Guns N’ Roses’ album Use Your Illusion II (1992).
Slash uses a Dunlop Cry Baby DCR-2SR Rack Module.
In a video by Douglas Tonet titled "Slash's Talkbox Improvisation," Slash demonstrates his use of the Dunlop Heil HT1 Talk Box.
Almost all of Slash Les Paul are equipped with Seymour Duncan Alnico 2 Pro pickups.
In the Moshcam video, "Behind The Scenes | Slash's guitar tech, Ace | Guns N' Roses," at timestamp 6:34, Slash's guitar tech refers to a splitter. While CAE doesn't produce a splitter, the MXR MC406 CAE Buffer Pedal, which features one input and two outputs, matches his description. This suggests it's the unit being discussed.
The Seymour Duncan Zephyr Silver Humbucker, ZS-1, is listed on Slash's profile on the Seymour Duncan website, indicating his association with this gear. Further details on which specific guitars he uses them with are not provided.
The Red Guild Crossroads was the original production model of Slash's custom Guild Doublenecks. The design was drawn on a napkin in a diner. This guitar was used in "Estranged"
Slash is using this Firebird since the GN'R tour started in 2016 until this day
In the Moshcam video titled "Slash ft. Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators - Beggars And Hangers On | Live in Sydney," Slash can be seen playing a Gibson Slash Les Paul Standard in Vermillion.
From the article Slash's Les Pauls Through The Years that was published on Gibson's website.
The guitar most commonly associated with Slash's Velvet Revolver period, this Custom Shop model features Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro humbuckers, a Dark Tobacco Sunburst finish, and a piezo pickup system which allows Slash to access acoustic-like tones at a flip of the mini-switch located between the two rear control pots.
At the end of the article, you can see a pic of Slash posing with this guitar custom made to match his Corvette. Slash does not possess it anymore, the guitar was sold at an auction in the 2010's.
Slash praises the Ernie Ball Cobalt Power Slinky Strings (11-48) for their superior sound and feel, as highlighted on Guitar Center's product page.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgN7d4jLA1E
http://www.rig-talk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=157964
You can see a Palmer Triage Amplifier Selector in both sources.
The Natural Guild Crossroads was the original prototype model from Guild. This guitar was used in the "Dead Horse" video, but was otherwise never seen again.
You can see Slash is playing a real 59 les paul standard. The s/n is #90592 http://www.burstserial.com/index.php?%2Fcategory%2F960
Slash endorsed the Roland GR-55 Guitar Synthesizer, as highlighted in a Guns N' Roses advertisement featured on Pinterest.
Slash's rise to rock royalty featured a variety of iconic Gibson models, but it was the 1966 EDS-1275 Doubleneck that both diversified his sound and solidified his guitar-god aesthetic. He bought it from a small music store in Indiana in 1990 and put it into rotation almost immediately. Using the natural chime and chorus of the twelve-string neck and composing epic solos on the other, it became a favorite tool for studio and stage and an indelible part of Slash's sound. Gibson is proud to present this exacting replica of the original guitar, constructed and aged by the skilled craftspeople of the Custom Shop in Nashville, TN. Only 125 models will be sold worldwide, each hand-signed and numbered by Slash himself. Each will include a vintage replica hardshell case, a custom Slash concho guitar strap and a Certificate of Authenticity.
Slash used the Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro neck and bridge humbuckers in all his guitars, prior to the development of his signature pickups which are based on them.
According to Fishman Slash is using this pickup on acoustics.
Our Custom Shop 2" Classic is Slash's strap of choice when playing his double necks.
Slash has used a Guild Crossroads 12/6 Double-Neck guitar, featuring a green flame top, for performances of songs like "Knockin' On Heaven's Door." This particular guitar was eventually replaced by a black model. Slash gifted the green Crossroads to Sean Carr, who was considered for the role of vocalist for Velvet Revolver but declined. The current location of this guitar is unknown. The source image, "godzilla.jpg," on Slashsworld confirms its use.
According to ProSoundWeb, Slash used the Shure KSM313 Ribbon Microphone during his tour with the band SMKC prior to their first record.
"Everybody loves the Firebirds," says Slash about his two new signature Gibson Custom models, the prototypes of which he used on tour for the last year. They are a radical departure from the Les Pauls he is known for, yet Slash wanted many Les Paul elements included on this model including humbuckers, historic Les Paul wiring and pickup spacing, and a solid figured maple cap. Per Slash's request, the Custom Shop hand-aged these with vintage-accurate checking and wear to the thin nitrocellulose lacquer finish. Each features Slash's custom specs throughout as well as exclusive hot-stamped Slash pickguard artwork. With only 25 of each being made, these Slash Firebirds are instantly some of the most collectible artist models Gibson Custom has ever created.
In this Instagram by Gibson, Slash can be seen holding the Gibson Slash Victoria Les Paul Standard 50s Gold Top, which is part of the Gibson Slash Collection. The post reads:
The newest addition to the Gibson Slash Collection, the @Slash "Victoria" Les Paul Goldtop, features a maple top, a solid mahogany body, a dark back finish, and Slash's personal touches, including a C-shaped neck profile, uncovered Gibson Custom BurstBucker™ Alnico 2 pickups, hand-wired electronics, and a vintage-style hardshell case. Available now on Gibson.com #gibson #theoriginal
"... the same tone I used with a 50s Fender Twin..."
This video from Ernie Ball's "Real to Reel" series, documents the recording of Slash's 2014 album "World on Fire". In which, Slash and his guitar tech Ace Bergman discuss the instruments used on the album:
(13:57)
Ace: "We pick what to bring on the studio, first of all we grab the "Appetite" Les Paul..."
Slash: "...I think it's like an '85 or '84, Chris Derrig custom Gibson-copy Les Paul (Laughs), and I've been using that since the first Guns 'n' Roses record, and it's pretty much my mainstay for all sessions."
Ace: "...And to balance it out, y'know we have a couple different choices for rhythm guitars."
Slash: "...I have a Melody Maker here, I have, a couple of [Les Paul] Juniors here, I have an Explorer here, I got an ES-175 and I got a ES-135. The 135 was Elvis' and it just has this great sound, it was the great, sort-of "counter-sound" to my regular guitar, the Derrig guitar."
Slash uses a Shure UR4D+ wireless system with multiple units to allow easy switching between guitars.
In this youtube video, Slash is seem using a Maton Tommy Emmanuel signature TE1. These guitars are Australian made, and slash must've picked one up on his trip there - where this performance is located.
Slash played with ebony ES on last song.
In this Instagram post, Slash discusses his Les Paul Modern, saying:
Really pretty Gibson LP Modern I received recently at Gibson Nashville. Has p-up splitters & contoured heel. Plays & sounds amazing. iiii]; )'
At 6:21 in this interview with Ola Englund, Slash answers a questions about which guitars he used for writing his Orgy of The Damned album by saying:
I just pulled out a bunch of vintage guitars and a bunch of vintage combo amps and ended up using a ’63 335 for a lot of the record and a couple of different Les Pauls and, believe it or not, a Strat and a Tele.
This is a community-built gear list for Slash.
- Find relevant music gear like Guitars, Amplifiers, Effects Pedals, and other instruments and add it to Slash.
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Discography
Slash
2010
Made In Stoke 24.7.11 (Live)
2011
Muve Sessions: Apocalyptic Love
2012
Apocalyptic Love
2012
Living the Dream
2018
Living The Dream Tour (Live)
2019
4 (feat. Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators)
2022
Universal Monsters Maze: Halloween Horror Nights 2018 (Original Soundtrack) [Deluxe Edition]
2022
Orgy of the Damned
2024
Live at the S.E.R.P.E.N.T Festival
2025