Guitar tone · rock, metal

Guns N' Roses guitar tone: gear & amp settings

The gear and amp settings behind 46 Guns N' Roses songs, researched from rig rundowns, interviews and gear forums. The rig that shows up most: Kris Derrig 1959 Les Paul Standard replica into Marshall JCM25/50 2555 Silver Jubilee 100W Head.

Guitars Guns N' Roses used

Kris Derrig 1959 Les Paul Standard replica5 songs
1959 Gibson Korina Flying V4 songs
Mid-'80s Kris Derrig '59 Les Paul Standard replica3 songs
Gibson Les Paul Standard3 songs
Gibson Les Paul Standard (Slash's 1987 replica, likely Kris Derrig or Max Baranet build)2 songs
Kris Derrig '59 Les Paul Standard replica2 songs
B.C. Rich Mockingbird2 songs
1956 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop2 songs

Amps Guns N' Roses used

Marshall JCM25/50 2555 Silver Jubilee 100W Head9 songs
Marshall Silver Jubilee 25554 songs
Marshall JCM2555 Silver Jubilee head with Marshall 1960BV 4x12 cabinet4 songs
Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus3 songs
Marshall JCM25/50 2555 Silver Jubilee 100W Head into Marshall 1960BV 4x12 cabinet2 songs
Marshall JCM8002 songs
Gallien-Krueger 800RB2 songs
Marshall 1959 Super Lead (SIR #36/#39 modded by Frank Levi and Glenn Buckley)2 songs

90 Guns N' Roses tones

Song	Part	Guitar	Amp	Gain
Sweet Child O' Mine · riff	Riff · distorted	Mid-'80s Kris Derrig '59 Les Paul Standard replica	1977 Marshall Super Lead 100-watt model 1959 (SIR #39, 'Superkill' mod by Frank Levi & Glenn Buckley)	8
Sweet Child O' Mine · solo	Solo · distorted	Mid-'80s Kris Derrig '59 Les Paul Standard replica	1977 Marshall Super Lead model 1959 (modded 'Superkill')	8.5
November Rain · solo	Solo · distorted	Kris Derrig '59 Les Paul Standard replica	Marshall Silver Jubilee 2555 100W Head (studio), Marshall 1960 4x12 with Celestion Vintage 30 speakers	7.5
Welcome To The Jungle · riff	Riff · distorted	Kris Derrig '59 Les Paul Standard replica	1977 Marshall Super Lead model 1959 (S.I.R. #39, 'Superkill' mod by Frank Levi/Glenn Buckley)	8.5
Paradise City · riff	Riff · distorted	1986 Gibson Les Paul Standard	Marshall JCM800 2203 head (100W, likely with Marshall 4x12 cabinet, studio recording)	7.5
Knockin' On Heaven's Door · solo	Solo · distorted	1959 Gibson Korina Flying V	Marshall JCM25/50 2555 Silver Jubilee 100W Head	7
Don't Cry · solo	Solo · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Standard (late 1980s, likely 1987-1989, as used by Slash in studio for Use Your Illusion sessions)	Marshall Silver Jubilee 2555 head with Marshall 4x12 cabinet (studio recording, 1990-1991)	7
Nightrain · riff	Riff · distorted	Kris Derrig Les Paul replica	Marshall JCM2555 Silver Jubilee head with Marshall 1960BV 4x12 cabinet	7
Estranged · solo	Solo · distorted	Kris Derrig 1959 Les Paul Standard replica	Marshall JCM25/50 2555 Silver Jubilee 100W Head	7
Don't Cry · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Standard (Kris Derrig '59 replica, Slash's main studio guitar for Use Your Illusion)	Marshall 100-watt Super Lead model 1959 (with 'Superkill' mod) into Marshall 1960 4x12 cabinet with Celestion Vintage 30 speakers	6.5
November Rain · riff	Riff · distorted	1991 Gibson Les Paul Standard (Slash's Kris Derrig '59 Les Paul replica likely used in studio)	Marshall JCM25/50 2555 Silver Jubilee 100W Head	7
Estranged · riff	Riff · distorted	1956 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop	Marshall JCM25/50 2555 Silver Jubilee 100W Head	6.5
This I Love · solo	Solo · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Standard (Slash signature or similar, likely with Alnico II Pro humbuckers)	Marshall Silver Jubilee 2555 (studio recording era, as used by Slash on Chinese Democracy sessions)	7.5
Knockin' On Heaven's Door · riff	Riff · distorted	1959 Gibson Korina Flying V	Marshall JCM25/50 2555 Silver Jubilee 100W Head into Marshall 1960BV 4x12 cabinet	6
Don't Cry · riff	Riff · clean	Gibson Les Paul Standard (Slash's Kris Derrig '59 Burst replica, Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro pickups)	Marshall Silver Jubilee 2555 (studio recording, Use Your Illusion I sessions, 1990-1991)	4
Knockin' On Heaven's Door · riff	Riff · clean	1959 Gibson Korina Flying V	Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus	0
Sweet Child O' Mine · riff	Riff · clean	Kris Derrig 1959 Les Paul Standard replica	1977 Marshall Super Lead 1959 (with 'Superkill' mod)	0
Welcome To The Jungle · solo	Solo · distorted	Mid-'80s Kris Derrig '59 Les Paul Standard replica	1977 100-watt Marshall Super Lead model 1959 with 'Superkill' modification by Frank Levi and Glenn Buckley	7
You Could Be Mine · solo	Solo · distorted	1986 Gibson Les Paul Standard (Kris Derrig replica, likely used for studio recording)	Marshall 1959T Super Lead 100-watt head (modded by Frank Levi/Glenn Buckley), Marshall 1960 4x12 cabinet with Celestion Vintage 30 speakers	8.5
You Could Be Mine · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Custom (likely 1987-1988, as used by Slash on Use Your Illusion sessions)	Marshall JCM25/50 2555 Silver Jubilee 100W Head	7
Nightrain · solo	Solo · distorted	Kris Derrig Les Paul Replica	Marshall JCM2555 Silver Jubilee head with Marshall 1960BV 4x12 cabinet	7.5
November Rain (Live) · solo	Solo · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Custom (likely late 80s/early 90s, black finish, used live by Slash)	Marshall JCM25/50 2555 Silver Jubilee 100W Head into Marshall 1960BV 4x12 cabinet	7.5
Paradise City · solo	Solo · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Standard (likely 1959 replica, possibly Kris Derrig build, Appetite for Destruction session guitar)	Marshall SIR #39 (modded 100W Marshall 1959T Super Lead head, Appetite for Destruction studio amp)	8.5
Rocket Queen · riff	Riff · distorted	Kris Derrig Les Paul Standard replica (1959 Burst copy, used by Slash on Appetite for Destruction)	Marshall 1959T Super Tremolo 'S.I.R. #39' (modded by Tim Caswell, 100W head, used in Appetite for Destruction studio sessions)	6.5
It's So Easy (Live) · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Standard (Slash signature or R9 reissue, depending on tour year)	Marshall Silver Jubilee 2555 head with Marshall 4x12 cabinet	7
Mr. Brownstone (Live) · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Standard (Slash, live 1987-1993 era)	Marshall JCM2555 Silver Jubilee head with Marshall 1960BV 4x12 cabinet	7
November Rain · riff	Riff · clean	Gibson Les Paul Custom	Marshall JCM25/50 2555 Silver Jubilee 100W Head	0
Paradise City · riff	Riff · clean	1986 Gibson Les Paul Standard (factory second, Kris Derrig replica, used by Slash on Appetite for Destruction sessions)	Marshall JCM800 2203 (modded, rented for Appetite for Destruction studio sessions)	0
Shackler's Revenge · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson Les Paul (likely Studio or Custom, but possibly a Les Paul with DiMarzio pickups as used by Buckethead on Chinese Democracy)	Marshall JCM800 (model 2205 or similar, as used by Slash and likely in studio for this era)	8
Sweet child o mine · solo	Solo · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Standard	Marshall JCM800	7
Ain't It Fun (Radio Version) · riff	Riff · distorted	1969 Fender Telecaster (modded, with original PAF humbucker in neck position)	1962 Fender Deluxe (blackface), boosted with Marshall Bluesbreaker overdrive pedal	6.5
Better · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Standard (Slash signature or similar, as used on Chinese Democracy era)	Marshall Silver Jubilee 2555 (studio recording, as used by Slash on Chinese Democracy sessions)	7.5
Chinese Democracy · solo	Solo · distorted	B.C. Rich Mockingbird	Marshall Silver Jubilee 2555 100-watt head	7.5
Chinese Democracy · riff	Riff · distorted	B.C. Rich Mockingbird	Marshall Silver Jubilee 100-watt head	7.5
Civil War · solo	Solo · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Standard (Slash's 1987 replica, likely Kris Derrig build)	Marshall JCM25/50 2555 Silver Jubilee 100W Head	7
Civil War · distorted	Distorted · distorted	Fender Jazz Bass Special (Duff McKagan signature, 1980s Japan, PJ configuration)	Gallien-Krueger 800RB (studio era), likely with Tech 21 SansAmp RBI preamp/DI	6
Civil War · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Custom	Marshall JCM25/50 2555 Silver Jubilee 100W Head	6.5
Civil War · riff	Riff · clean	Dobro resonator (likely National or Dobro brand, round neck, metal body) or similar resonator-style acoustic	Likely recorded direct or mic'd with no amp, or possibly through a clean preamp; no evidence of electric amp for clean intro/verse	0
Don't Cry · clean	Clean · clean	Fender Jazz Bass Special (MIJ, 1980s, black, passive electronics)	Gallien-Krueger 800RB (studio era, late 80s/early 90s Duff standard)	0
Double Talkin' Jive (Live In London, Wembley Stadium - August 31, 1991) · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Standard (Slash, 1987 reissue, likely with Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro pickups)	Marshall JCM Slash Signature (JCM2555 Silver Jubilee, live rig 1991)	7
Double Talkin' Jive (Live In London, Wembley Stadium - August 31, 1991) · solo	Solo · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Standard (Slash, 1987 reissue, likely with Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro pickups)	Marshall Silver Jubilee 2555 head with Marshall 4x12 cabinet (live rig, 1991 tour)	7.5
Dust N' Bones (Live In London, Wembley Stadium - August 31, 1991) · solo	Solo · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Deluxe	Marshall JCM 800 (likely 2203/2204 head, as used by Slash live in this era)	6.5
Dust N' Bones (Live In London, Wembley Stadium - August 31, 1991) · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Standard	Marshall JCM 800 2203 (modified, live rig)	6.5
Estranged · riff	Riff · clean	1956 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop	Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus	0
Estranged (2022 Remaster) · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Standard (likely 1987 or 1988, as used by Slash in the Use Your Illusion sessions)	Marshall Silver Jubilee 2555 head with Marshall 4x12 cabinet (studio recording, 1991 era)	7
Estranged (2022 Remaster) · solo	Solo · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Goldtop 1956 (replica, likely by Kris Derrig)	Marshall Silver Jubilee 2555 100W Head	7.5
Hard Skool · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Standard (Slash signature, likely 2010s reissue)	Marshall Silver Jubilee 2555 head	7
It's So Easy (Live) · solo	Solo · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Standard (Slash signature or 1980s spec, live use)	Marshall Silver Jubilee 2555 (live rig, classic Slash setup)	8.5
Jumpin' Jack Flash (1986 Sound City Session) · solo	Solo · distorted	Jackson Soloist (black/white, dual humbuckers, Floyd Rose, early GNR era)	Marshall JCM800 2203 (modded with 6550 tubes, through Celestion Vintage 30 speakers)	6.5
Knockin' On Heaven's Door · solo	Solo · clean	1959 Gibson Korina Flying V	Marshall JCM25/50 2555 Silver Jubilee 100W Head	0
Knockin' On Heaven's Door (Live) · riff	Riff · clean	Gibson Les Paul Standard (Slash, live 1990s era)	Marshall Silver Jubilee 2555	0
Live and Let Die · solo	Solo · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Standard (Slash's main Les Paul, likely 1987 or Derrig replica)	Marshall Silver Jubilee 2555	8
Live and Let Die · riff	Riff · distorted	Kris Derrig 1959 Les Paul Standard replica	Marshall Silver Jubilee 2555	7.5
Locomotive (Complicity) · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Standard (Slash's 1987 replica, likely Kris Derrig or Max Baranet build)	Marshall Silver Jubilee 2555 head with Marshall 4x12 cabinet (studio recording, 1990-91)	7.5
Locomotive (Complicity) · solo	Solo · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Standard (likely 1987-1990, Appetite/Illusion era, with Alnico II Pro humbuckers)	Marshall JCM800 2203 (100W head, studio recording, Use Your Illusion II era)	7
master of puppets · solo	Solo · distorted	—	—	4
Mr. Brownstone (Live) · riff	Riff · clean	Gibson Les Paul Standard (Slash, live 1987-1993 era)	Marshall JCM2555 Silver Jubilee head with Marshall 1960BV 4x12 cabinet	3.5
Mr. Brownstone (Live) · solo	Solo · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Slash Signature (Tobacco Burst, 2008 Limited Edition for 1993 live shows)	Marshall Silver Jubilee 2555	7
My Michelle · riff	Riff · distorted	1960 Gibson SG	Marshall 1959T Super Tremolo (S.I.R. #39, Tim Caswell modded)	6.5
Nightrain · riff	Riff · clean	Gibson Les Paul Standard (replica, Kris Derrig build, as used by Slash on Appetite for Destruction)	Marshall JCM800 2203 (modded by Tim Caswell, S.I.R. #39, as used on Appetite for Destruction)	0
Nightrain (Live) · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Standard (Slash's main live guitar, late 1980s spec)	Marshall JCM800 2203 (100W head) into Marshall 4x12 cabinet with Celestion speakers	7
November Rain · solo	Solo · clean	Gibson Les Paul Standard (Kris Derrig '59 replica)	Marshall 1959 Super Lead (modded by Frank Levi/Glenn Buckley)	4
November Rain (2022 Version) · solo	Solo · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Standard (Slash signature, likely 1987 or 2022 model)	Marshall JCM 800 2203 and Marshall Silver Jubilee 2555 (blended, studio recording)	7.5
November Rain (2022 Version) · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Standard (Slash 'Inspired By' or Kris Derrig '59 replica)	Marshall Silver Jubilee 2555 (studio), Marshall JCM 800 2203 (alternative, similar voicing)	6.5
Out ta Get Me (Live) · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Standard (Slash, live 1980s/early 1990s era)	Marshall JCM 800 2203 (live, late 1980s/early 1990s), sometimes Marshall AFD100 Slash Signature (modern live recreations)	7
Patience · riff	Riff · clean	Gibson Les Paul Standard (Slash, 1987 studio recording)	Marshall JCM800 2203	0
Perfect Crime (Live In London, Wembley Stadium - August 31, 1991) · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Standard (likely 1987 or early 1990s, sunburst, as used by Slash live in 1991)	Marshall JCM 800 head into Marshall 1960A 4x12 cabinet	7
Perfect Crime (Live In London, Wembley Stadium - August 31, 1991) · solo	Solo · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Standard (1987, likely Kris Derrig replica or Pre-Historic R7 Goldtop, as per Slash's 1991 live rig)	Marshall JCM 2555 Silver Jubilee head with Marshall 4x12 cabinet (Celestion speakers)	7.5
Pretty Tied Up (The Perils of Rock N' Roll Decadence) · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Standard (Slash's 1987 replica, likely Kris Derrig or Max Baranet build)	Marshall JCM800 2203 (modded, studio recording)	7
Rocket Queen · solo	Solo · distorted	1986 Gibson Les Paul Standard (Kris Derrig replica, Appetite for Destruction recording guitar)	Marshall JCM800 2203 (modded S.I.R. #36 head, Appetite for Destruction studio sessions)	7.5
Rocket Queen · clean	Clean · clean	Fender Jazz Bass Special (Duff McKagan signature, 1980s Japan model)	Gallien-Krueger 800RB	0
Rocket Queen · riff	Riff · clean	Gibson Les Paul Standard (Kris Derrig replica, 1959-style, used by Slash on Appetite for Destruction)	Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus (for clean sections in studio recording)	0
Rocket Queen (Live) · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Standard (likely 1987-1988, live touring model, possibly Kris Derrig replica or 1987 Standard)	Marshall Silver Jubilee 2555 head with Marshall 4x12 cabinets loaded with Celestion G12H speakers	7
Shadow Of Your Love · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Standard (likely 1986-87, Appetite-era, Slash's main studio guitar)	Marshall JCM800 2203 head into Marshall 1960A 4x12 cabinet	7
So Fine · solo	Solo · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Standard (likely 1987-1991, Slash's main studio guitar for UYI era)	Marshall 1959T Super Tremolo (modded Super Lead, typical for Slash in UYI sessions)	7.5
Speak Softly, Love (Love Theme From The Godfather) [Live In Paris, Hippodrome De Vincennes - June 6, 1992] · solo	Solo · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Standard (Slash, 1991-1992 touring model, likely Kris Derrig replica or 1987 Les Paul Standard)	Marshall Silver Jubilee 2555 (live touring head, 1992)	7
Sweet Child O' Mine · solo	Solo · clean	Gibson Les Paul Standard (Kris Derrig replica, 1959 style)	Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus	0
Sweet Child O' Mine · clean	Clean · clean	Fender Jazz Bass Special (PJ configuration, Japanese, 1980s, passive electronics)	Gallien-Krueger 800RB (studio, 1987 Appetite for Destruction sessions)	0
Sweet Child O' Mine · distorted	Distorted · distorted	Fender Jazz Special (PJ configuration, 1980s MIJ, passive)	Gallien-Krueger 800RB	5.5
Sweet Child O' Mine (Live) · solo	Solo · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Standard (Kris Derrig replica for Appetite era, Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro humbuckers)	Marshall JCM800 2203 (studio/live), sometimes Marshall Silver Jubilee 2555 (live variant)	7
There Was A Time · solo	Solo · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Standard (Slash signature or similar, 2006 studio session)	Magnatone SL-100 (100-watt British-voiced head, used for studio recording of Chinese Democracy era)	8.5
There Was A Time · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Standard (Slash signature or Kris Derrig/Max Baranet replica likely, but not confirmed for this track)	Marshall Silver Jubilee 2555 (highly likely for 'Chinese Democracy' era, but not 100% confirmed for this track)	7
This I Love · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Standard (likely Slash signature or Kris Derrig replica, as used by Slash on Chinese Democracy era)	Marshall Silver Jubilee 2555 (studio, Chinese Democracy era; Slash's main amp for this period)	7.5
This I Love · solo	Solo · clean	Gibson Les Paul (likely Custom Shop or Standard, as used by Slash in studio)	Marshall JCM800 2203 (studio recording, as per Slash's typical clean tone setup for ballads)	0
Used to Love Her (Live) · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Standard	Marshall JCM800	6
Welcome To The Jungle · clean	Clean · clean	Fender Jazz Bass Special (Duff McKagan signature, PJ configuration)	Gallien-Krueger 800RB (studio, Appetite for Destruction sessions, 1987)	0
Welcome To The Jungle · riff	Riff · clean	Kris Derrig 1959 Les Paul Standard replica	Marshall 1959 Super Lead (SIR #36/#39 modded by Frank Levi and Glenn Buckley)	0
Welcome To The Jungle (1986 Sound City Session) · riff	Riff · distorted	Kris Derrig 1959 Les Paul Standard replica	Marshall 1959 Super Lead (SIR #36/#39 modded by Frank Levi and Glenn Buckley)	6.5
You Could Be Mine (Live In Las Vegas, Thomas & Mack Center - January 25, 1992) · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Standard (likely 1987 or late 80s, sunburst, as used by Slash live in 1992)	Marshall JCM 2555 Silver Jubilee 100W Head (live rig, 1992 tour)	7.5
You're Crazy (Live) · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Standard 1987	Marshall JCM 2555 Silver Jubilee with EL34 tubes	7

Guns N' Roses songs on popular amps

Exact settings ToneAdapt players use for these songs on their own amps.

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Frequently asked questions

What amp did Guns N' Roses use?

Across 46 researched songs, the amps that come up most are Marshall JCM25/50 2555 Silver Jubilee 100W Head (9 songs), Marshall Silver Jubilee 2555 (4 songs), Marshall JCM2555 Silver Jubilee head with Marshall 1960BV 4x12 cabinet (4 songs), Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus (3 songs).

What guitar did Guns N' Roses use?

Most often: Kris Derrig 1959 Les Paul Standard replica (5 songs), 1959 Gibson Korina Flying V (4 songs), Mid-'80s Kris Derrig '59 Les Paul Standard replica (3 songs), Gibson Les Paul Standard (3 songs).

How do I get Guns N' Roses's tone on my amp?

Open any Guns N' Roses song below to see the original gear and settings, then use ToneAdapt to adapt them to your own guitar, amp, pickups and pedals.