u/zoo7777

How does Slash actually get that distinct Slash tone?

I’ve been chasing Slash’s tone for a while, and I’m curious what people think are the most important ingredients that make his sound so instantly recognizable.

I’m not really looking for a simple “Les Paul + Marshall = Slash” answer. I’m interested in what’s happening beyond that.

What specifically gives him that thick, vocal, almost singing lead tone while still keeping the notes clear? How much comes from:

- The Alnico II pickups

- Marshall/JCM-style amp and settings

- Midrange/EQ

- Gain level

- Boost/overdrive

- Presence/resonance

- Speakers

- Delay/reverb

- Pickup height

- Volume/tone controls on the guitar

- And, obviously, his actual playing technique

I’m currently using a Gibson Les Paul with Slash-style Alnico II pickups into a Marshall DSL40CR with a Celestion Vintage 30, and I have several pedals available including a Tube Screamer Mini, SD-1, GE-7 EQ, DD-6 delay, RV-6 reverb, Phase 90, etc.

I can get into the general Guns N’ Roses/Marshall territory, but there’s something about Slash’s tone especially that thick upper-midrange, sustain and almost vocal quality that I’m still trying to nail.

For anyone who has seriously gone down the Slash tone rabbit hole: what made the biggest difference?

Amp settings? EQ frequencies? Pickup height? Speaker choice? Boosting the Marshall? Or is the last 20% basically just Slash’s hands, phrasing and vibrato?

I’d especially love to hear from anyone using a DSL40CR or similar Marshall who has gotten really close.

Is the 4XE in rear wheel drive by default? What's the best setting to drive in town and on dry roads? I live in Canada and where I live we get a fair amount of snow, I haven't driven in the winter yet, should I be driving in 4 high for daily driving in the snow?

Are you only supposed to drive in electric mode for city driving? I tried driving in electric mode on the highway and it errors out and went back to hybrid mode?

Hey guys, setting up a pedalboard for the first time and I'm looking for advice on how to best setup the sequence of the pedals. These are the pedals I have:

MXR Phase 90

Boss DS-1 Distortion

Boss SD-1 Overdrive

Dunlop Crybaby Wah

and I hope to grab a Chorus soon.

How what should the sequence in the chain look like?

Also is there any other pedals I should be looking at that you would consider essential?

Thanks!

Hi guys,

Have some family coming in from Britain tomorrow and I'd like to take them somewhere for lunch that has a patio with a nice view, there is no real options by the waterfront except The Farmhouse and that's not going to work so I'm hoping you guys can give me some suggestions!!!

This blew me away, Lincoln Brewster creates a tune using this rig that if I close my eyes I swear it was Eddie!

I have been trying forever to get a decent tone that I really like ... different Amps, Modeling amps, Pedals and I just can't seem to find a tone I can settle on. I am to the point now where I am willing to pay a bit more money to try and make it happen. I have narrowed it down to 2 options ... a EVH 5150 Iconic Series 80W Head or a Fractal AM 4 Amp Modeller. I get that they are 2 completely different things and that I will have more options with the modeller but I just finally want a nice Hard rock, EVH type tone.

What do you guys think?