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With the "Sweet Child 'O Mine" video, Slash reminded everyone that the Les Paul was a killer rock guitar. This fact had somehow been forgotten amidst the flash and glitter of the ‘80s, despite the influence of Led Zeppelin on the riff-rock of the time. But it wasn't long before players started seeking out Les Pauls again. By the early ‘90s, the Les Paul was totally and utterly cool again, just in time to be the guitar of choice for many grunge artists. And since then it's been here to stay. Slash's contribution to the Les Paul's popularity has been celebrated with several signature models over the years. Let's take a look at them.
Slash Les Paul Custom Shop 1990
Model: Gibson Slash Signature Les Paul Custom Shop 1990
Manufacturing: Gibson Custom Shop
Pickups: Seymour Duncan Alnico 2 Pro
Production: 4 units
Notes: This is the very first Gibson Les Paul made only for Slash, no production release. Slash ordered these four guitars after attending a NAMM show and seeing a slim-necked '59 replica made by J.T. Riboloff of the Gibson Custom Shop. The all-black hardware and screaming yellow binding were his ideas. Other personalized features include Dunlop 6100 jumbo frets and a "stripped" look with no pickup covers or pickguard. Of the four Les Pauls Riboloff made for Slash, three are still in his possession. The fourth, the one being auctioned, he traded for another guitar in the Gibson vault.
Slash Les Paul Snakepit 1996
"I had Gibson make this for me in 1996 or 1997. It's got the embossed Slash logo on it and the snake inlay in the neck. It's a gorgeous guitar. I only have one of those and they are very rare." (Slash)
Released in 1997, this guitar took a bit of inspiration from a slim-necked Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul Slash had built for him in 1990, at least in the sense that both were bright red …but more on that later. The Snakepit model featured the logo of Slash's Snakepit (his post-G'n'R band) and an elaborate, curling cobra fretboard inlay. It was limited to 100 guitars worldwide, although the initial plan was to build 50. They're quite rare and tend to change hands for a lot of money today.
Model: Gibson Slash Signature Les Paul Snakepit 1996
Manufacturing: Gibson Custom Shop
Pickups: Seymour Duncan Alnico 2 Pro
Production: 100 units
Notes: Slash received the first four including the prototype, the only one with the carving on the body turned 90 degrees to be viewed right side up when displayed on a guitar stand. In 1998 Slash's studio was broken into and his guitars were stolen, including the Snakepit prototype, so the Gibson Custom Shop built him a replica. The first 50 have a certificate that says "limited 50 pieces", but the production was increased to 100 pieces. These guitars are by far the rarest and most collectible of any of the Slash Signature Les Pauls.
Slash Les Paul Standard (2004)
"That was the main guitar I used when I toured with Velvet Revolver. Fucking killer sounding guitar, that one. It actually screams." (Slash)
The guitar most commonly associated with Slash's Velvet Revolver period, this Custom Shop model features Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro humbuckers, a Dark Tobacco Sunburst finish, and a piezo pickup system which allows Slash to access acoustic-like tones at a flip of the mini-switch located between the two rear control pots.
Model: Gibson Slash Signature Les Paul Standard Dark Tobacco Burst 2004
Manufacturing: Gibson Custom Shop
Pickups: Seymour Duncan Alnico 2 Pro
Production: 1,200 units
Notes: This guitar features a plain maple top with a Dark Tobacco Sunburst finish, and has a piezo pickup with a switch located near the tone and volume knobs. It comes with signature hardcase and black certificate of autenticity in leather pocket. Slash mainly used this Les Paul Signature on tour with Velvet Revolver.
Slash Les Paul Standard 2008
"It's probably one of the best live guitars that I've had in a really long time. It's all the best qualities of Les Pauls rolled into one. All in all, it's a pretty badass guitar." (Slash)
This Gibson USA model again uses Alnico II Pro pickups - a consistent theme for Slash until Seymour Duncan made the guitarist his own signature set - and a Tobacco Burst finish over a flame maple top. Also used in the Velvet Revolver era.
Model: Gibson Slash Signature Les Paul Standard Tobacco Burst 2008
Manufacturing: Gibson U.S.A.
Pickups: Seymour Duncan Alnico 2 Pro
Production: 1,600 units
Notes: This model comes with signature hardcase and black/red certificate of autenticity.
Slash Les Paul Standard VOS (2008)
"This is the replica of the original 1988 Les Paul I had before I beat the hell out of it. It's sort of a trip for me to see it because it looks actually like the guitar after I had it refinished in 1988." (Slash)
This Custom Shop model was based on a Les Paul Slash was given in 1988. The original was beat to heck over the course of many tours, but the VOS version was issued without those dings and dents (but with a black certificate of authenticity in a leather pocket and leather Slash jacket). A Tom Murphy-aged version was also issued, closely mimicking the battle scars, and limited to 150 pieces instead of the 400 of the VOS version.
Model: Gibson Slash Signature Les Paul Standard VOS 2008
Manufacturing: Gibson Custom Shop
Pickups: Seymour Duncan Alnico 2 Pro
Production: 400 units
Notes: Here is an authentic replica of one of two Les Pauls Standard Slash received from Gibson in 1988. It features a carved 3 piece maple top, one-piece mahogany back, and rosewood fingerboard, with a Heritage Cherry Sunburst finish faded just like Slash's original. It comes with signature hardcase, black certificate of autenticity in leather pocket and leather Slash jacket.
Slash Les Paul Goldtop 2008
Based on a 1991 Goldtop often seen in Slash's hands during the Use Your Illusion era (and unfortunately nicked in 1999), this Gibson USA beauty features a Bullion Gold finish, and was limited to 1,000 pieces. This one seems to be particularly prized by fans.
Model: Gibson Slash Signature Les Paul Goldtop 2008
Manufacturing: Gibson U.S.A.
Pickups: Seymour Duncan Alnico 2 Pro
Production: 1,000 units
Notes: This one was modeled after a 1991 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop that was stolen from Slash's collection in 1999. It features a mahogany body and a hand-carved maple top with Gibson's classic Bullion Gold finish. Comes with signature hardcase, yellow certificate of autenticity and leather holder.
Inspired by the guitar Slash used on the Appetite For Destruction album, this Gibson USA Les Paul is based on the Les Paul Standards of the late 50s, with Zebra Alnico II Pro Slash signature humbuckers and a particularly stripy flamed maple top. It's a popular one for fans of early G'n'R, but it's not a direct replica of the Appetite guitar. That would be the Bursting onto a scene rife with poodle hairdos, spandex pants, and pointy headstocks, Slash and Guns N' Roses saved rock in the mid ’80s by bringing back the grease, leather, attitude, and some seriously heavy guitar chops. Their 1987 release Appetite for Destruction became the biggest-selling debut album of all time, with 28 million and counting sold worldwide, and the big riffs of "Welcome to the Jungle," "Paradise City," and "Sweet Child O' Mine" fired up the airwaves across the globe—riffs fueled by the most powerful rock tool of all time: a Les Paul.
Model: Gibson Slash Signature Les Paul Appetite 2010
Manufacturing: Gibson U.S.A.
Pickups: Seymour Duncan Alnico 2 Pro Slash
Production: 600 units
Notes: This model resembles the original Les Paul Standards of the late '50s, including the 1959 Les Paul replica Slash used for the recording of most of his albums. It has a maple top with a nitrocellulose Sunburst finish, rosewood fingerboard with mother of pearl inlay and a Slash headstock graphic.
Model: Gibson Slash Signature Les Paul Appetite For Destruction VOS 2010
Manufacturing: Gibson Custom Shop
Pickups: Seymour Duncan Alnico 2 Pro Slash
Production: 300 units
Notes: Les Paul Appetite For Destruction VOS (Vintage Original Specifics) is a replica of the 1959 Les Paul Standard replica built by Kris Derrig and that Slash mainly use in studio since 1987.
Model: Gibson Slash Signature Les Paul Appetite For Destruction VOS Aged 2010
Manufacturing: Gibson Custom Shop
Pickups: Seymour Duncan Alnico 2 Pro Slash
Production: 100 units
Notes: A series of Signature Les Paul Appetite For Destruction VOS aged to resemble the original guitar as it is today. There're all signed by Slash himself.
Slash Les Paul Rosso Corsa 2013
"It is identical to the old AFD in most respects but it is red. Also, the red color varies from instrument to instrument so no two are exactly alike." (Slash)
Slash's newest Les Pauls, the Vermillion Les Paul and the Slash Les Paul Rosso Corsa harken back to his very first model in that they're both in a striking red finish.
Model: Gibson Slash Signature Les Paul Rosso Corsa 2013
Manufacturing: Gibson U.S.A.
Pickups: Seymour Duncan Alnico 2 Pro Slash
Production: 1,200 units
Notes: This one was modeled after a Gibson Les Paul AFD red prototype that Slash used on tour back in 2013. It blends timeless specs with Slash-approved features and fine points all dressed in a brand new finish Rosso Corsa.
Model: Gibson Slash Signature Les Paul Vermillion 2013
Manufacturing: Gibson U.S.A.
Pickups: Seymour Duncan Alnico 2 Pro Slash
Production: 1,200 units
Notes: Another Slash Signature guitar modeled after the Gibson Les Paul AFD. This time with a striking Vermillion finish.
Model: B.C. Rich Slash Signature Mockingbird
Manufacturing: B.C. Rich Custom Shop
Pickups: Seymour Duncan Alnico 2 Pro
Model: B.C. Rich Slash Tribute Signature Mockingbird
Manufacturing: B.C. Rich U.S.A.
Pickups: Rockfield Mafia
Model: Gibson Slash Signature Les Paul Anaconda Burst Flame Top 2017
Manufacturing: Gibson Custom Shop
Pickups: Seymour Duncan Alnico 2 Pro Slash
Production: 25 units
Notes: After touring with his prototype models throughout 2016 and 2017, Slash announces the release of these limited edition Gibson Custom Slash Anaconda Burst Les Pauls. All the Flame Top models are signed by Slash.
JCM Slash Signature
Slash AFD 100
MXR Octaver Fuzz
Slash Cry Baby
Marshall SL5 Slash Signature
"This combo is something you can take anywhere and it works. It's not like a lot of amps that sacrifice a lot of sound just to be small." (Slash)
AmpliTube Slash
"Apocalyptic Love was entirely written while we were on tour. By using my iPhone along with IK's AmpliTube and iRig I was able to capture whatever ideas I had swimming in my head." (Slash)
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