Tone Timeline
Mick Mars — Tone Evolution
Mick Mars is Mötley Crüe's guitarist — a deceptively deep player whose riffs and arrangements are more sophisticated than the band's party-rock image suggests. His guitar work on Shout at the Devil and Dr. Feelgood demonstrates genuine craft. A Les Paul through a Marshall and Mesa Boogie combination powered the Crüe's biggest records.
1981–1989: Shout at the Devil / Girls Girls Girls
Too Fast for Love (1981) was self-produced and raw; Shout at the Devil (1983) — produced by Tom Werman — polished the sound into arena-ready hard rock. Mars's riffs on "Looks That Kill" and "Shout at the Devil" show strong rock instincts. Theatre of Pain (1985) and Girls Girls Girls (1987) continued the formula. His Les Paul through a Marshall and a heavy pick attack were consistent.
Signal Chain
1989–2005: Dr. Feelgood / Continuing
↑ Dr. Feelgood production elevated Mars's guitar to the highest fidelity of his career — the riffs are the album's skeleton.
Dr. Feelgood (1989) produced by Bob Rock is considered the Crüe's finest record — tighter, heavier, and better engineered than anything before it. Mars's guitar tones on that record are a masterclass in hard rock production. He was diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis, a chronic pain condition, but continued playing throughout. His Signature ESP guitar replaced the Les Paul from the 1990s.
Signal Chain