Sound Like Slash/ Guns N' Roses

There are few guitarists as legendary as Slash. After all, he has produced some of history's most iconic and recognisable riffs from ‘Sweet Child O’ Mine’ to ‘November Rain’. Today, let us take you on a journey where we delve into Slash’s life and sound and how Harry and Dan recreated that sound right here at Fair Deal Music.

A Not-So-Sweet Child

Born originally in Hampstead in London to an American mother and English father. Slash spent his early years living in Stoke-on-Trent with his father and paternal grandparents while his mother was back in L.A., working as a fashion designer. Slash joined his mother in L.A. at age 11, leaving his father behind, who would eventually join them. Following Slash’s parents' divorce, Slash self-described himself as a ‘problem child’, often staying at his maternal grandparents' house while his mother was away with work. Sometimes, Slash would accompany his mother to work, where he would meet actors and musicians. It was actor Seymour Cassel who gave Slash (Saul Hudson) the name we know him for. 

Banding together

In 1979 Slash decided to start a band with childhood friend Steven Adler. Adler designated himself as the guitarist, so Slash decided he would learn bass. The band never materialised, but this did encourage Slash to get lessons to learn. After his first lesson, Slash switched from bass to guitar after he saw teacher Robert Wolin perform Brown Sugar by The Rolling Stones and another song from Cream. 

It wouldn’t be until 1981 when Slash joined his first band, Tidus Sloan, but this band went nowhere. Instead, it would be his next band, Road Crew, formed in 1983, that would set him on the path to his meteoric rise. Here, along with Steven Adler and newly signed bassist Duff McKagan. The band didn’t go anywhere in the end due to them not being able to find a good lead singer, as well as Adler’s lack of work ethic compared to McKagan’s and Slash’s. He and Adler then joined the local band Hollywood Rose with Bill (Axl) Rose and Izzy Stradlin. Following the band's breakup, Axl asked Adler and Slash to join a new band called Guns N’ Roses. 

It was during these early years, 1985-1986, where most of the big tracks from Appetite for Destruction were made. These mammoth track such as Sweet Child O’ Mine and Welcome to the Jungle, along with reprisals of older work such as Rocket Queen (the original riff was made during Slash’s time with Road crew) have become the iconic sound that we recognise as Guns N’ Roses today, and most of all some of the most iconic riffs in guitar history.

Sound Like Slash

So the brief was simple: how can one sound like Slash? Well, Harry and Dan have provided two different setups - both designed for gigging. One on a budget of £2000, and another with all the goodies we have at our disposal in the shop. The pedals used were identical in both setups and they were the Dunlop GCB95 Cry Baby Standard Wah Pedal, the Ibanez TS-9 Tube Screamer and the MXR M234 Analog Chorus. 

Now, if there's anything Slash is known for gear-wise, it is Les Pauls and Marshall amps. So let’s have a look at the budget set up, and we start with Epiphone 1959 Les Paul Standard Outfit VOS in Cherry Burst and paired with a Marshall Studio Vintage 20W valve head with matching 2x12 Cab in White Snakeskin. Now, if you had an unlimited budget, what could you get? Well, Harry and Dan went with a: Marshall 1960A 300W 4x12 switchable mono / stereo angled cabinet, Marshall JCM800 1985 50W head and a Gibson Les Paul Murphy Lab Ultra Heavy Aged in Lemon Burst. 

Now if you want to find out more about any of the gear here and how it can help you sound like Slash, check out our video here: