Blueprints: The Sound of Slash
Welcome to our new video series, Blueprints. In the first episode, PG contributor Tom Butwin features Slash and explores the architectural DNA of the top-hatted rocker's legendary sound.
Slash’s tone is often regarded in gear circles like buried treasure—elusive, highly coveted, and shrouded in the mystique of modified vintage Marshalls and “Holy Grail” `59 Les Pauls. For most aspiring players, achieving that sound feels unattainable due to the specificity of the gear and the level of precision required to capture his Appetite for Destruction-era tone.
Tom demonstrates that the "blueprint" isn't a locked vault; it’s a set of principles you can follow using modern, accessible tools. By pairing the Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Slash Les Paul (which captures that essential mahogany-and-maple "growl") — with the Gosh Amplification Problem Solver, a head designed to iron out the quirks of the classic Marshall circuit — the dream becomes attainable.
We also dive into how to layer in modern signature effects, like the MXR Slash Octave Fuzz and the Slash Cry Baby Wah, and even the small "blueprint" details like Slash's custom string gauges from Ernie Ball.
This isn't just about mimicry; it’s about starting a journey of tonal construction. Tom shows us how to use these components to build a foundation that honors a legend, while giving you the creative freedom to design a sound that is entirely your own.
Stay tuned for more episodes in the series in 2026!
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Slash’s Blueprint: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/B5KELq
00:00 Blueprints: The Sound of Slash
00:34 The idea behind the "blueprint"
01:19 The Guitar - Epiphone Inspired By Gibson Custom 1957 Les Paul Goldtop Reissue
03:23 Ernie Ball Signature Slash Strings
04:03 Sweet Child O' Mine tone signal chain
04:51 Gosh Problem Solver gives you flexibility
06:59 Effects: Cry Baby Slash Wah
08:29 Effects: MXR Octave Fuzz - Three Pedals in One
09:26 Lay the Foundation: MONO Pedalboard and Cables, Ernie Ball Flat Patch, CIOKS DC7
10:29 Final Plans...Make it your own!
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