Song Rig

Civil War

Slash · Use Your Illusion II · 1991

Tone Overview

What Makes This Sound Unique

The slide guitar intro is a rare departure from Slash's standard Les Paul/Marshall approach — a Dobro-style acoustic tone before the electric crunch arrives. The main riff tone is similar to the Appetite platform but with more room in the production. The scale of the Use Your Illusion project gave Slash space to experiment with different tones within songs.

Signal Chain

1Gibson Les Paul (main riff sections)
2Acoustic slide / Dobro (intro)
3Marshall JCM800 2203

Amp Settings

Gain / Volume8

Bass5

Mid7

Treble7

Presence7

Electric sections match the standard Appetite JCM800 setting. The acoustic intro is a separate instrument — a Dobro or resonator played with a metal slide bar rather than a round neck slide. Focus the electric tone on the main riff and solo sections.

Technique

How to Play It

The electric main riff uses palm muting with occasional lift to let power chord stabs ring — the contrast between muted and open creates the groove. The solo is pentatonic with wide bends in the upper position.

Budget Alternative

Achievable With

Les Paul into any amp at 8 gain for the electric sections. For the intro slide: any resonator guitar with a metal slide, or approximate it with a Les Paul tone rolled off and a glass bottle slide.

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