Guns N’ Roses, one of the most impactful hard rock bands of the 80’s & 90’s, was first formed in 1985 in Los Angeles, California. The original lineup consisted of vocalist Axl Rose, lead guitarist Slash, rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin, bassist Duff McKagan and drummer Steven Adler. Their debut album Appetite for Destruction was the bands best-selling debut album of all time. Other smash hits like Use Your Illusion and Use Your Illusion 2 led to GnR’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012.
 
Vocalist Axl Rose has often been considered one of the greatest vocalists of all time. He has an extremely broad range and can hit very high tenor notes. In order to sound like Axl Rose, one should be able to scream, sing in a baritone range, and hit near-soprano notes.
 
Lead guitarist Slash owns more than 100 guitars, but he exclusively prefers the Gibson Les Paul. Slash is an extremely talented lead guitarist that can play very technical leads and is known for playing some of the longest guitar solos of all time. One would have to be past an intermediate guitar player in order to sound like Slash. He uses special effects, the main effect being the Dunlop Cry Baby pedal. Other effects include the MXR Slash Octa/Fuzz Prototype, and the MXR M159 Stereo Tremelo. He exclusively prefers Marshall amps and heads.
 
Rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin is a talented guitarist as well. His guitars include a Fender Telecaster 1972 custom, a Gibson SG Angus Young, and and ESP Telecaster, which can be seen in the Sweet Child O’ Mine video. Stradlin used Fender Bassman 60s blackface heads, and a Mesa Boogie 4×12 cabinet with EV speakers. He also used Fender Deluxe Reverb.
 
Bass guitarist Duff McKagan chiefly used a Fender Jazz Bass Special throughout his career with Guns N’ Roses. A talented bassist, McKagan also played an acoustic Guild guitar on the song Patience. McKagan did not use many effects, and used the Yamaha SPX-90 chorus effect and a Boss pedal. For amplification, he uses specifically Gallien-Krueger amplifiers with Gallien-Krueger cabinets.
 
Drummer Steven Adler is a talented drummer who used a Rockett Drum Works kit throughout his career with Guns N’ Roses. Adler also used Paiste cymbals and an occasional Pearl drum kit.
 
To sound like Guns N’ Roses, one will need a very talented vocalist and lead guitarist. A tight band will be needed. To bring five musicians together to replicate that same sound may be a little tough, but is definitely possible!
 
Keep Rockin’!!!
Guns N’ Roses by sergione infuso taken on June 22, 2012
Guns N’ Roses live by jocluis taken on April 2, 2010
Guns N’ Roses by sergione infuso taken on June 22, 2012