Guns N' Roses' Duff McKagan on His Music Gear Evolution, From Early Days to Today

[@later_daze_4080]

Any time I see or listen to an interview with Duff he comes off as being the coolest down to earth dude.

[@williamlive7252]

Way back in 92, a band I was in, supported Guns at a big show in Ireland. Nearly 30 years ago now, I was a kid (19), so not much I can remember from the day, except walking around back stage with Duff, he was so sound and down to earth, I couldn’t believe it. An absolute legend then and now. Love you Duff

[@bigmoneyjackson2385]

what band was it?

[@williamlive7252]

@@bigmoneyjackson2385 We were called My Little Funhouse

[@citizenbxtr883]

@@williamlive7252ha! I saw you play that day..Slaine castle. I was there for the Faith no More comeback. Didn’t your drummer join Therapy later on?

[@motorcity7137]

Did ya ? 👏👏👏

[@x7stringinJSCx]

Duff has always been one of my top influences on bass. Love him. Such a laid back cool guy.

[@atomfallen2409]

Same

[@krunkasaurus05]

Duff has always ruled in every facet of his career. Always appreciate his insight when it comes to music.

[@LPManic]

Duff is an absolute legend. One of the real guys. Love you Duff!

[@greenman7yyy]

Mr. McKagan, Thank you for taking the time to share your rig story. You are very humble and fun sounding 💚

[@martindewhurst2485]

What a dude. In a band with one of the best lead/rhythm guitar duos of all time, and his bass lines still stand out. That TBX, almost bassless sound, worked so well, too

[@Farewelltokingz]

His sound was much rounder live might I add than on record. He predominantly uses 15s believe it or not.

[@paullanglois3768]

Had a picture of this guy on my wall when I was in 6th grade. I just wanted to be him. Decades later, I STILL want to be Duff McKagan. Love this so much.

[@sixty4guitars]

I got to see Duff do an acoustic gig when he did his UK book tour, small intimate venue, the guy is a legend. Thanks for the music man.

[@chrisbettis9601]

When I close my eyes, and simply think of the phrase "rock star bassist" Duff McKagan's image is the first thing that comes to mind. I appreciate how down to earth he seems and I love his punk rock roots.

[@RastaSaiyaman]

Prior to his Fender, Duff played a Yamaha BB-series bass. And in the video for "sweet child of Mine" he's seen using a Kramer.

[@roosternm6830]

When GnR came out Duff sparked my interest in bass. I'm a guitarist 100%, but the bass to me is a lot of fun to play around with. Duff's gear and his sound back in the 80s to me was in my top 3 favorite players.

[@peterbrown8797]

Duff. One of the most inventive and melodic players. Super talented all round musician and such an amazing life story. ❤

[@ThundersMcCoy]

I have that same MIJ Jazz special that Duff started with. It's still my favorite bass to this day. I'm planning on being buried with it.

[@crazywisdom2]

Love who Duff is. Musicality, and just this regular guy that's into what he's into. And let him talk. Well done.

[@clausm2203]

Duff was one of the reasons i started playing bass and love that he is not a gear snob i love his setup and bass lines

[@blackstratblues]

One of the most iconic bass sounds of all time.

[@sebg2086]

lol relax

[@PowuhToSeven]

​@@sebg2086like Primus and Motorhead Weren't a thing.

[@chuckabbate5924]

Great interview. Ive become a big fan of Duff, especially after reading his autobiography. What a life . Smart and humble.

[@Funkybassuk]

Such a fan of Duff from when I was a kid all those years ago. He was quite lucky with his early gear choices: Gallien-Krueger RB800 and Fender Made in Japan P/J bass.

[@2WheelsGood]

Duff is a real one. Love that he likes Magazine and Killing Joke.

[@doctordogtoffee3832]

The lads got taste.

[@Bodyknowledge77]

Appetite For Destruction is such a rock master work! Duff's bass is so tasty and present. I spent many a days consuming through the ears(obviously :-0) the rockstasticness of G n R, but especially Appetite.

[@rotosound_uk]

Stellar discussion, Duff! We know all about the strings but it's cracking to hear about the other pieces of equipment that go into making this tremendous tone 🧡

[@sidez81]

Well I for one can attest to why he uses those strings. I’ve played rotos and by god you guys got it right. Just a little more expensive here in Australia but I get them when I can afford to.

[@rotosound_uk]

Thanks@@sidez81! Much appreciated 🙏

[@MaxGoedecke]

Great Interview! I think his Guild acoustic guitar is a JF-30, a Jumbo Guitar model made between 1987 and 1994. I'm a great Guild guitar fan too😀🎸

[@ryangunwitch-black]

Appetite for Destruction set the course of my entire life when I was a 7th grader in 1988/89.

[@patrickduffin6418]

Ditto

[@MikeTrainormusic]

when Kurt Cobain OD'd and fled rehab, he boarded a plane and sitting next to him was Duff; one of the last people to see him before he died. I remember hearing somewhere it was a relief for Kurt to sit next to Duff

[@finnmcginn9931]

D.O.A Taking Care of Business is the greatest music video ever. It helps that i grew up in small-town nowhere Canada

[@fviannaval]

Duff is just the chillest, coolest dude ever.

[@SombraPiloto]

Duff is definitely one of my top 5 most favorite bass players ever. I so wish Izzy would come out of whatever seclusion he's put himself in and go out on the road with Duff. The cumulative coolness of them on stage together again would be off the charts.

[@aintnoleedguy]

This man is one hell of a musician and his tone is stone cold killer. Respect 🎸🤟

[@metalgod88]

It amazes me how down to earth he is. Great guy

[@lucianoluggren]

7:35 I still remember watching Terminator 2 when I was 10 years old and my brother sisters and I knew that the credits had a new GnR song in the final credits and my most vivid memory is when the bass came in with a chorus effect after the drums and guitar in You could be mine, what a sound. Greetings from Argentina.

[@rodjames5771]

Duff is awesome - thanks so much for posting this. 'Why fuck it up.." got to be the best mic drop ever!

[@ImYourOverlord]

He inspired me to add chorus to my bass pedalboard. Way back when, I had a flanger, which I loved, so my choice in chorus pedals is a Bass Chorus Deluxe, which is both effects in one, and you can use either or both as you like.

[@matthewturley1152]

Duff don’t know me, but he was my biggest influence learning to play bass 35 or so years ago. If you ever read this, thanks duff.

[@thefilthygringo9228]

Appetite for destruction is my all time favorite Album but to me the band will never sound truly the same unless Stephen and izzy are there. They need all original members.

[@miketorguson]

I have always loved Duff’s tone! Surprised on the switch from GK to Fender!

[@birdandcatlover5597]

i currently play guitar, but when i noodle, the sound that comes out is good for bass i look at one tomorrow...lets hope it fits my weird hands! duff's my favorite bassist, and he's how i realized a bass part can be interesting, and not boring

[@kal_george32]

Only just seen this, great interview. Loved the white Fender.

[@motorcity7137]

I love how he’ll talk about anything but being back in GnR or if they’re working on anything

[@seanj3667]

Those notes at the beginning of Rocket Queen are some of the best bass notes in rock. They just sound mean, but still clean.

[@gjustg1540]

Everyone should be a bit more Duff. What a lovely guy he appears to be - and one of the greatest and most influential bass players of the last 40 years, if not technically then certainly melodically

[@scottstan11]

Always my favorite bass player. Great guy, killer tone!🤘🏻

[@yutani2225]

One name is missing from his list of bassists of the 80s and 90s: Mark King. While all the other bassists were simply bassists, Mark King achieved a quantum leap in bass playing. He made the electric bass interesting. Suddenly the bass was bass, drums, guitar and solo instrument all in one. No other bass player has achieved that. Not to mention his unique voice and singing talent. Playing like that and then singing like that. Unique.

[@Superbabiez]

Who did he play for?

[@yutani2225]

@@Superbabiez Serious? Level 42. Just listen to the Track Pursuit of Accidents from 1982(!).

[@adamrivera2499]

Duff is easily my favorite in guns n roses

[@a.j.garrett9639]

We simply DO NOT uqve enough Duff interviews. Like really. There's only One Duff. And a life time is finite. We NEED more Duff. A lot more. Everyone who's met the guy says the same thing He's just a coolest most down-to-earth dude and he's a king in the world of rock and roll an emperor. But you can meet them and hang out with them and just feel like you're talking to one of your boys. Of the whole band he's the One I want to meet. That would be a life achievement .

[@matkomatej]

I just love it when a band sounds as good as the bass sounds. These are my favourite bands ever. Don’t care so much for technical 💩 but the sound is just essential. Second only to the song itself.

[@stevek8]

I got my 2nd bass guitar in 1988 after i learned to play a by grinding away to Yes and Rush. I had just gotten home from a music store and asked my "buzzed" dad at the dinner table if he would get me a new bass. He said yes and we went up to the store and I ended up with a brand new Jazz Bass Special, identical to Duff's. I had never even heard of GnR at the time.

[@JoeyLevenson]

Dude loved Magazine? Woah that’s so cool. Also, he knows the secret of Burny. I had the same one, it’s great!

[@cjampack2011]

Must respect to this icon of music!

[@lantzvincent1699]

Huge Duff fan! Great interview!

[@vince3804]

i really liked where he went through the influences of everyone GERMS!!!!

[@justinsixx90]

This is great! Thank you Reverb!!

[@joechiricosta4004]

Read Duff’s book about 10 years ago. Highly recommend it..

[@joeyskar]

Duff is the fucking man, so glad Ric Flair got the boys back together. Granted Duff had a guest appearance in Europe well before that but seeing Slash back with Duff and Axl on stage was so badass. 🤘

[@joeyskar]

Would love to see Steve Adler and Izzy Stradlin on stage with them one of these days.

[@mexicanmaggot666]

Wait, Ric Flair brought them together?? WOOOOOOOO!

[@joeyskar]

@@mexicanmaggot666 yeah, he invited Slash and Axl to a charity event and they hashed it out. There's other reports that Slash and Axl had lunch a few times afterwards to iron everything out.

[@superblondeDotOrg]

The best member of GnR and that is saying A LOT.

[@StreetsleeperUK]

Use your illusion came out 33 years ago. They haven’t released anything good under GnR in all that time. Crazy

[@NoUseForAName0626]

I play a 2001 American Fender PJ-Bass that I bought brand new in 2002.. I'm a Punk rock Bass player and unlike the majority of Punk Bass Players, I only play with my fingers.. about 15 yrs ago my Father In-law introduced me to the John Entwistle RotoSound Bass strings that Duffs talking about.. I immediately fell in love with them and haven't used a different string since.. They're sort-of a bright string (as in tone or sound) but it's the perfect mix with the more low end bottom sound of a American Fender P-Bass.. My Bass never gets drowned out playing along with 2 guitar players who both play Gibson Les Pauls.. Anyway, lol.. just thought I'd share if anyone is interested. Lol 🤘

[@joemartucci4786]

Love roto sound strings. Been using them since I started playing in the early 80s. I run Ampeg SVTS 2 8x10s. I usually waffle between tube heads or rack system.

[@angelmarrerochunkybass]

To me he had and has one of the best bass tones in hard rock.

[@roman077m2]

Duff, where is the black "No Fear" bass guitar you played years ago during the UYI tour?

[@keithsa41]

Hey Duff if you happen to read this, I hope your doing well, thanks for all your inspiration. Have a great Day!

[@adamrivera2499]

That white bass will forever b my favorite

[@theshapeexists]

This guy is one of the main reasons I became a musician

[@mongrelking5667]

9:20 Check out Walking Papers. They are amazing.

[@captainhowdy3104]

the two rehearsals a day- does axle participate in said daily rehearsals?

[@TheWachuflein]

What’s the song at 6:46 ? Freakin cool slash noodling

[@JesseJTheVibesman]

Song’s called “Hope,” from Duff’s latest solo album

[@jasoncindric5096]

What’s the song at 10:29

[@JesseJTheVibesman]

@ fallen ones, also by Duff

[@gondelio]

12:24 GUADA bass 🤘

[@bassman108]

I'm suprised he uses the GK Lagacy 500s. They're only 300 watts at 4 ohms. I bought one and returned it and got the 800. The 500 was farting out at gig level.

[@michaelmarchei8539]

Diff is such a legend. All round cool dude and great musician all round. 🙏👍.

[@andretoyo]

Wow. Whats that song going on 10:44 sounds great. Great mix love those electric piano w gtrs.

[@adicelviteaz]

Not sure if you're reading this or if it's actually the case but this video felt it was put together very shortly - Ian porbably playedd the basslines like he remembered them from when he was a kid - only 1% wrong, true, but I expecr 100% from him evey thime :) altoigh it's true that it was my same kid's ear that judged them ( it- s not like I actually reasearched those basslines in the meantime) but I still think he was 1% off and regarding Scott's research , Duff actually says in that interview avout the SD bass it's not the original 5 seconds later so would loved you to pick up on that at least:) anyway keep up the good job and Ian I really expect you to be on 100% , not at 99% because you are really one of the best ones :)

[@CorkElectric40]

I was the guy next to you talking to Duff !!!...about the Belgium Band A DOLPHIN.... which I was the bassist for back then....I had met him in Los Angeles 1988...and again in San Francisco mid 1990s....you can hear me say my name Corky and mention A DOLPHIN....i gave them some demo CDs....he recognized me but was confused....why would I be in Belgium???

[@jasoncindric5096]

What’s the song at 10:29

[@peterwible]

I'm not 100% convinced they were Seymour Duncan in the bass originally. The pole pieces are larger than you'd typically find like the quarter pounders, but, my 87 Jazz Bass Special also has large pole pieces and it's completely stock.

[@Realasadonut]

I bought that black aerodyne because of Duff. I really want the white PJ also.

[@gbenselum]

His first book is really great. The guy is legit

[@pippydog28]

Always a great bass tone

[@Dan-mi7hn]

Nice haha,happy with my 79 ibanez together forever.

[@markkasper7281]

my guild 12 string has the same crack in it, a beautiful sounding instrument

[@bollewillem1]

01:22 My grandmother would like her crochet net curtains back.

[@chuckabbate5924]

So ironic . I was listening to Real Life by Magazine last night... Barry Adamson on bass who has also been a member of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. Rickenbackers and even a weird Ovation bass...

[@MontaguStudios]

This feels it was recorded in the middle of Duff's vacation

[@mr.timebombman2230]

Randy Rampage also was the original Annihilator singer.

[@wwn1970]

What a great guy!

[@subjektobjektpradikat7902]

My favorite two bass players share their name: michael duff mckagen and michael mckeegan (Therapy?). Powerfull sound and stage presence.

[@ryangunwitch-black]

Duff’s cool AF

[@jenniferanne4143]

Yea, his into in its so easy is awesome

[@jenniferanne4143]

That skull sticker on his bass, I remember getting the same one from a sticker machine in the mid 80's, before I heard of gnr

[@chilly6470]

So legendary, they named a beer after him!........ Or, was it the other way round? Either way, he's the definition of "rock star".

[@davisdeen-ty4so]

A TRUE ROCKSTAR 🎉❤🎉

[@Capitan_Chaos]

Wow, I can relate to this guy.

[@alar7743]

This is rock and roll!

[@lfmd]

Hola. Una pregunta. Saben si el usa sus bajos como PBass o combina las pastillas??

[@douglasgrecchi6037]

Master of pick.

[@elquenogb]

Hi guys! Does anyone know anything about his straps? Brand? 😊

[@chrisdover8507]

So cool. My fav bass player evvver!!

[@Farewelltokingz]

It was a Yamaha SPX Chorus unit i believe. I thought it sounded killer if that was the one used on Tokyo ‘92 but I guess he doesn’t think so.

[@TheNiteinjail]

"...and why fuck it up?" Why indeed? ❤️

[@richymoore]

The man ! ❤

[@MrMllx]

Awesome, thanks!

[@mikeymacaque]

Never been a huge GNR fan but holy hell if all of my gear decisions haven’t made me a Duff clone

[@Maxshade7]

He’s the coolest guy on the planet!