Slash
Slash redefined rock guitar for a generation with his work on Guns N' Roses' 'Appetite for Destruction' — the best-selling debut album ever. His Les Paul into a cranked Marshall stack became the template for rock tone in the late 1980s. After Guns N' Roses he formed Velvet Revolver and has maintained a prolific solo career.
Gibson Les Paul with Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro humbuckers into a cranked Marshall. The tone is mid-forward, warm in the mids, slightly dark in the highs — never scooped or sterile. Touch-sensitive and musical, with controlled feedback for solos.
Guitars
Gibson Les Paul Standard
1988–present1959 replica Les Paul with Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro pickups. "Appetite Burst" — the definitive 1980s rock tone guitar.
Full specs & buy →Gibson Les Paul Custom (Black Beauty)
1988–1995Three-pickup black Les Paul Custom — used on "Nightrain" and "You Could Be Mine".
Full specs & buy →B.C. Rich Mockingbird
1985–1988Used before Guns N'Roses breakthrough — still appears occasionally.
Amplifiers
Marshall Silver Jubilee 2555 100W
1988–presentPrimary amp — runs at 50W or 100W mode. Clean-to-crunch channel 1, high-gain channel 2 for solos. His signature sound.
Marshall AFD100 "Appetite for Destruction"
Signature head voiced to replicate the exact tone of the Appetite album. Channel 1 cleans, Channel 2 replicates the Jubilee.
Marshall JCM800
1985–1988Pre-Jubilee main amp — raw and aggressive.
Effects Pedals
Dunlop Cry Baby Wah
Used selectively — "Sweet Child O' Mine" intro and solos. Controlled sweeps, not excessive.
Pedal guide →MXR Phase 90
Subtle phaser used on selected clean passages.
Boss DD-3 Digital Delay
Short delay for solos on tour.
Dunlop Fuzz Face
Occasional use for bluesy overdrive — not his primary gain source.
Key Albums & Tone
"Sweet Child O' Mine", "Paradise City", "Welcome to the Jungle" — the Marshall Jubilee sound that defined a generation.
More layered production with acoustic sections and orchestration alongside the core rock tone.
Heavier, more modern production — same core Les Paul/Marshall combination.
Blues-influenced songwriting showcases more dynamic range in his playing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What guitar does Slash use?
Gibson Les Paul Standard and Gibson Les Paul Custom (Black Beauty). 1959 replica Les Paul with Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro pickups. "Appetite Burst" — the definitive 1980s rock tone guitar.
What amp does Slash use?
Marshall Silver Jubilee 2555 100W and Marshall AFD100 "Appetite for Destruction". Primary amp — runs at 50W or 100W mode. Clean-to-crunch channel 1, high-gain channel 2 for solos. His signature sound.
What pedals does Slash use?
Slash uses Dunlop Cry Baby Wah, MXR Phase 90, Boss DD-3 Digital Delay and more.
What is Slash's signature sound?
Gibson Les Paul with Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro humbuckers into a cranked Marshall. The tone is mid-forward, warm in the mids, slightly dark in the highs — never scooped or sterile. Touch-sensitive and musical, with controlled feedback for solos.