How to Sound Like...Duff McKagan of Guns N' Roses

AMP The Bass Player shows you how to get Duff's tone from Appetite for Destruction using inexpensive and readily-accessible gear.
-------------
Featured gear:
Zoom B1X FOUR Multi-Effects Bass Guitar Pedal:
www.zzounds.com/a--3970972/it...
EMG GZRPJ Geezer Butler PJ Bass Pickup Set:
www.zzounds.com/a--3970972/it...
Yamaha BB735A Electric Bass Guitar:
www.zzounds.com/a--3970972/it...
We make a small commission on any product purchased through our affiliate links. If you would like to support The Bass Channel on your next gear purchase, whether it be strings, cables, picks, or the gear in this video, check out zZounds! Using our link doesn’t cost you anything extra but it helps us quite a bit. Thank you!
-------------
Find the Duff patch on Patreon: / ampthebassplayer
-------------
Subscribe to my personal channel: / @ampthebassplayer
-------------
Follow me on Instagram: / ampthebassplayer
#HTSL

[@patrickhunter]

Andrew and The Bass Channel together?? Oh hell yes!

[@Heivang]

With a comment from Patrick. Bass communtiy bringing everyone together.

[@Blech319]

Go away Patrick.

[@sn1ffy85]

whats with the over load of gingers?!?

[@KyloNight]

I always loved Duff, but it was when my band played in a Guns N Roses tribute night that I fully realised how amazing Duffs bass lines really are and as well known as he is, I think he is an under rated bass player.

[@ampthebassplayer]

Completely agree! I almost always gain a deeper appreciation for bass players when I take the time to really study them like this.

[@danadane2501]

"Greater than sum of their parts" as bassist who is continuing to learn I can't agree more. Make the song as a whole sound that much better is ultimate goal.

[@davedixon2167]

Welcome Andrew! I love your presentation and it sounded great, man! I am not a big GNR fan, but Duff is legitimately a player with great lines and tones, so, excellent vid!

[@ampthebassplayer]

Thanks Dave!

[@MyBassistChris]

Awesome to see AMP on here, great way to introduce him to the channel

[@DanielYance]

Ojalá te inviten próximamente!

[@johnjuan812]

YES!!! More of these please!! AMP is awesome! Great match-up!!

[@Wazza_333]

That was awesome! Absolutely loved that episode. I'm a guitar guy but love the bass. You really did an awesome job. Thank you!

[@JonesHess]

I just bought that Yamaha BB735a as a birthday gift for myself. What a great instrument!

[@raulceron2342]

Beauty and amazing sound 👌🏾

[@tlacxztli_1]

Yamaha basses are really good

[@Therealchuckbailey]

This was great! Welcome my man and it sounded great! I’m not a GnR fan but I respect Duff tremendously and his contributions to bass! Nice job and looking forward to more!!!

[@GabrielRamirez-ki7mc]

This was great!! Duff is my favorite Bass player, thanks so much for doing this video! 🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@tristanbovee6395]

You did a damn good job capturing the thick roundness of duffs tone but with also the bright snap that makes his tone so unique

[@thedulaneygamingchannel3568]

Great Video man cant wait to see more!

[@Wingman-yl3qq]

This is impressive and a lot of fun to watch! Fantastic video bro!

[@JK_35]

Lots of people forget too that those studio tones (especially modern) have additional eq, compression and other effects added, and were possibly even signal split and processed differently. Sounded damn close to me all things considered.

[@a.j.garrett9639]

Just before the 4 minute mark you talk about something that I think is SO important and I've never anyone else say it. Finding your place in the mix vs cutting through. I feel the same as you. In my last band, that's the bass tone I used. Lots of mid. That way I was able to hear myself and the guitar player could do whatever he wanted. It wasn't a volume fight. I always head myself. Now that's not at all the tone I would dial in at home by myself. But in a band it works.

[@poochiecheeks627]

awesome. hard to get close without a jazz bass special with the passive TBX tone control but that aria is the next best thing. rotosound strings, GK amp, yellow dunlop picks and most importantly a lot of attitude, lol. love these kind of vids

[@SouthFLBreeze]

Dude, i just found and this is stellar!!! Love it!!!

[@danielpretto]

very badass video man. Thanks a lot

[@lotusmark2]

Love the enthusiasm mate

[@gondelio]

Yeah! Excellent job!!! 🤘🏼

[@darvinclement3250]

You were having way too much fun there! Loved it. How about Car's bassist Benjamin Orr?

[@TheGeordieBassist]

Awesome video 👍

[@marcopanetta3510]

Dude, you did a great job!

[@alexskibicki2262]

Awesome clip. 😎🤘🏻🎸I love yamaha basses and that is a nice looking yamaha bass. I too have a bb bass along with 2 trbx basses. And that aria bass looks awesome and has a killer tone. It especially sounds really sweet with a chorus effect. Duff mckagen was one of my influences during my earlier days of playing bass. He’s definitely one of the reasons why I got into gallien-Krueger amps and I still rock out to those amps today. And he was one of my inspirations to use chorus on bass along with peter Steele from type o negative. Anywho, great video. Rock on, dude. 😎

[@afrobassist]

I Uploaded its so easy lesson on my channel if you like Duff

[@haynerbass]

Well done man!

[@theoutlawtorn]

Beautiful!!!

[@BYLRPhil]

Great job!

[@alexfutvolleytijolinho5540]

Belo trabalho ! Uma aula de baixo dessa maravilhosa música do excelente Guns and Roses... Duff é um dos melhores de todos os tempos...

[@DoctorIntrepid]

Sounds great.

[@ianmiller1000]

Nailed it! I'm also surprised no one mentioned the person in the back of the video just chillin/playing a video game.

[@rogersgonc]

Dude... that Aria... killer!

[@rubenmedina326]

I just pick your video ( not knowing you use this pedal ) ha ha , my surprise was that i just bought this pedal a week ago and im still digging sounds in it , agree with you its a non expensive one ( most pedals today are among $ 200 + ) but this little piece delivers , Thank You .

[@jasongordon1123]

I remember reading that he uses Rotosound 66 strings and Jim Dunlop .73 mm (yellow) picks. Minor details, but you got really close to the recorded version here.

[@christophercheney1006]

And Duff just rules!!! Big reason as to why I started playing bass,

[@maggerlycastillo7513]

Great video

[@bertrandmajorik6589]

Bass player here, X-ellent vid man , I'm hooked !!!

[@MattlikesGames]

6:38 Bass AND Skyrim?? Very good!

[@hendroprasetyo9814]

Another Zoom bass multiple effects (Zoom B1XON or B1ON to be more accurate) has GK 800RB amp sim. You can use that. But I don't know about amp settings. Hope it helps.

[@davidbaines7330]

I have that same Aria bass. All stock and it’s been fantastic since I got it new. Don’t see many of those.

[@averydossmusic]

Loving that skyrim in the background

[@Exercise-01]

That zoom rocks

[@ianchisholm9260]

I own a 85 Jazz Bass special ( I bought it new in 85 ) and they came with Seymour Duncan 1/4 pounders . Think that’s also a key component to his sound .. recently discovered they they also came with 500 K pots .. I’ve had them replaced with 250 K pots ( as per the spec sheet ) , and the Bass sounds much better now..

[@SNTOSN]

The zoom b3 I think has a GK simulation if I remember correctly. Great tones. Specially with the Yamaha. I do love the Geezer Butler pickups. I have the precision only in a MIJ Squier, that is my main bass

[@tommythiel9268]

I've had 3 area pro 2 basses over the years they were very customizable

[@BYLRPhil]

I want to hear a “How to Sound Like” for Aaron Beam of Red Fang!!!

[@joeojeda9393]

So....was wondering if you could do a few other "sound like" videos. Ive always been intrigued by Rick Savage's sound on Pyromania to begin with... Also, in Sixx A.M. Prayers for the Damned/blessed...the punchy trebly sound he has there is awesome Would like your take on it. Thanks🤘🏽🤘🏽

[@dougwilliams44]

Yup! 🤘🏼🤘🏼

[@__-777]

good job！🌹

[@gabrielnilsson7955]

Great 👍❤️

[@johnwilkerson1535]

The Zoom B1 Four is the best $100 I ever spent on bass equipment.

[@ampthebassplayer]

I bought it with the intention to make one or two videos with it and I've been shocked with how much utility it offers. No better value out there for bass gear as far as I'm considered.

[@nyancat432]

This was awesome!! Can we do this for the man Geezer Butler and his EQ settimgs????

[@ampthebassplayer]

I got you covered: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g6e4oXyCg8-Ed9U

[@gamma921]

Absolutely loved this video! Fun on top is that I have the exact same Zoom multieffect for practising at home, so thanks a lot for showing the settings. :) Would you recommend this pedal for gigging as well?

[@ampthebassplayer]

Thanks so much! I have gigged with my Zoom on a few occasions, and if you have simple needs for effects it can work really well.

[@spaceman8839]

i want to see how to sound like Jonny Depp from Hollywood Vampires

[@DannoDemo]

Guns N' Roses AND Skyrim in the background? P.E.R.F.E.C.T.

[@Shaybot]

The only thing I’d add would be the Fender TBX tone circuit. That’s what comes in those mid 80s Jazz specials, and the large pole piece fender pickups (kind of like a SD 1/4 lb) are a part as well. I have one of them. They’re okay basses, but I don’t like the jazz necks on them. They’re weird feeling.

[@inuit72]

This is great! Can you do one on Mike Watt?

[@jaschul]

Hell yes

[@patrickmckibben1932]

Man, that would work great for Mike Starr from Alice In Chains too.

[@Gubgubgoober]

Oh my gosh it’s slc legend amp

[@TheChristianherud]

Sound like Duck Dunn or Dusty on a budget perhaps? Thanks for sharing!

[@kel.666]

Maneiro

[@Farewelltokingz]

I’ve got a few gripes with this video, first, I think the bass you chose is actually pretty great for this, both sonically and stylistically. Duff’s tone is basically just slap bass with a pick and his playing and bass lines are what I’d call a punk playing funk. (Lots of straightforward stuff but lots of curveballs at times, especially with ghost notes and octaves) For appetite, he played near the bridge pickup with high strength and not as much mids as you’d think on the amp. (Most of the isolated tracks on KZbin were made through EQ alteration on the master track rather than guitar hero, still add a fair amount) I also think your recreation was a bit too beefy and had too much low-end for appetite. Duff’s live sound/illusions was a lot different. Live he scooped mids, cut treble slightly, and boosted bass. Around illusions he also started picking more on the neck pickup/where the pickguard would be. As far as chorus, he actually used it a lot more than you’d think, it’s probably on most of his bass tracks just with subtle settings, so feel free to experiment. He also never actually used the TC corona, he still uses the Ibanez CS9 to this day. Amps were GK-400RB for Appetite through a 4x10 according to his autobiography. Later upgraded to GK-800RB mainly using a 1x15 for his main sound as well as a 4x10. (Illusions and live) Still a pretty good video and a great tone if not considering this was based on Duff.

[@scottstan11]

Great job! Where can we find the settings for each effect you used in the zoom b1 c four?

[@lewissharman409]

I have the master effects super 800+ for my playthrough of Duff

[@stepanjan1218]

good day, please, how do you get the duff mckagan patch into the zoom effect? Thank you

[@garythomas971]

Can you sound that Ozzy blizzard of ozz I don’t know on bass I am orginal bass player but I can do Judas prist and Black Sabbath war pigs with out any peddles it sounds good but this is my first time going to play with a pedal I know it’s hard for a newbie on first time pedals it hard when to many people ask if I know how to play I don’t know with out a bass pedal I tried but my amp did it all I just hit a few buttons on my crate bt350 amp I just lost my Harlow lh1,000 I had to scrap it the circuit board went after 15 years now I am playing on a ampeg a svt400t with out anything that don’t cut it with out a pedal or something so I figure give this pedal a try great video I love it thank you so much for this video

[@DanielYance]

Intentaré emular el patch en mi zoom b1on

[@Facu_Roldan]

5:10 well that's rather curious. I have the zoom B1on, which is the the previous model to the B1X FOUR, and it does have a gallien-krueger 800RB sim. Wonder why they removed it from the next gen pedals.

[@ampthebassplayer]

That's very interesting. I wonder if there was a technical reason or a legal one maybe for not including the GK emulation.

[@Facu_Roldan]

@@ampthebassplayer I'd say it's probably the latter. It's a shame since it sounds so good, it's my favorite amp emulation

[@lzandman]

Nice video. The bass tone doesn't quite get there, though. You should have used a Jazz Special with the Seymour Duncan's. Also, the bass parts you play are a bit off, especially the Sweet Child O' Mine parts. But I love these types of videos. And great enthousiasm.

[@DarthRoedy]

Do how to sound like David ellefson?

[@scott5minutes]

That's pretty close to the Appetite sound, but the Illusion sound was a lot different. More processed. Think the intro to "You Could Be Mine".

[@elultimoheroe]

what bass could I buy? I'm from Mexico something quality/price I know a lot of duff's bass lines but I practice them on guitar :(

[@tomzeto]

what pickups are you using? neck? bridge? both? and what are the tone knobs at?

[@donut_lyfe]

I love his sound. But I definitely prefer his tone with velvet revolver over GNR. Even though they are very similar. A bit more low end in velvet revolver.

[@nicolasaraistrujak208]

dat Skyrim gameplay at the background

[@MOMOMOMOMOMOMOMOM]

David bowie in ur room

[@CNick75]

Dude just hanging out on the couch in the back

[@JAFOpty]

did he use both pickups? the J and the P?

[@kplaysminecraft895]

Duff used his Kramer or Yamaha recording Appetite

[@cristianquiros7704]

Ha you choose my killer song of that record

[@toto_salmon]

What are the amp settings?

[@Nash_gimn]

Can you do another episode with the sound of cliff burton please?

[@ampthebassplayer]

I actually did an episode for Cliff not too long ago here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iau3nnibbZmGfKM

[@jnprather]

Stopped watching when you played the Paradise City riff wrong and in the wrong tuning. Nah just kidding, great tutorial, the tone is def in the ballpark :). My second favorite tone from that era (behind Jimmy Bain).

[@nickisasi3939]

Can you do Eddie Jackson from Queensryche (esp Jet City Woman) pppllleeeaaassseee???

[@jayfoghino5392]

Spector NS2 p/j EMG's straight into a GK 800RB head. That is how it was recorded. My Spector Euro into a GK MB200 has the tone.

[@thomaslehrer5706]

Is it possible to make how to Sound like Frank Bello

[@Blech319]

I feel sorry for his boyfriend in the background. All he wanted to do was play Elden Ring on the PS5 in peace.

[@scootermcgavin2188]

Dig the new guy in the pizza pants Pyjamas . cool vid.

[@lewissharman409]

I don’t have a rc boost on mine

[@omarshaheen4987]

please jack bruce video

[@NTD2827]

I want to know how to sound like Brian Gibson of Lightning Bolt

[@gary999t]

5:56 guy in the background pauses the game to take a piss.

[@user-fl2iy3rx4r]

How to soudlike Rachel Bolan pleeeeeaseeee!!!!!!!!!!

[@Soul74]

You call in Steve Bailey?

[@Farewelltokingz]

It’s just a rumor. Steve claimed that he played on only appetite. However, not any additional proof. Plus, use your illusion, Duff’s live solos, and the studio sessions with writing in progress, have duff talking in between songs and stuff playing similar parts. Steve Bailey also wouldn’t play those out of key perfect fourths that Duff does, because steve’s actually formerly musically trained. So yeah it’s almost for sure duff

[@jaapdevreugd]

Ryan Gosling with a wig and great bass chops?

[@geddeeee]

Add more mids. Even the Zoom can do that. Too much bottom end in your sound....

[@ampthebassplayer]

I pumped the mids as much as I could before it sounded boxy. Much more and it just doesn't sound very good, but if you want to download the patch and give that a try, you absolutely can!

[@TheNiteinjail]

Duff went back to a cs9 ... The rack mount unit just wasn't his sound.

[@gpbbassman500]

Too much low end and not enough mid punch/grind & clarity...

[@chavhinck]

Why sound like him, better to teach how to appreciate your on sound (by the way il love Duff'sounds!😂).

[@DosYeobos]

Eh this sounds nothing like duffs bass sound

[@rockboundrc7228]

first get rid of the 5 string

[@ampthebassplayer]

Tell me you didn't watch the whole video without telling me you didn't watch the whole video.

[@rockboundrc7228]

@@ampthebassplayer why would I watch the whole video when it's wrong at the beginning?

[@ampthebassplayer]

@@rockboundrc7228 Because I like to show that you don't need the exact gear to get a tone that's close to what you're copying.

[@rockboundrc7228]

@@ampthebassplayer you won’t with 5 strings. The strings are too thin to get the right sound. Duff is a bass player, people who play 5 string are wannabe guitar players.

[@ampthebassplayer]

@@rockboundrc7228 None of this comment makes any sense. You can play anything on a 5 that you can on a 4, and why would having an even lower string make someone a guitar player? You think that because they have more strings, they're gonna play more notes? Also, bass guitar is a guitar, so if you play bass, you are a guitar player. A bass guitar player.

[@keeprocking3620]

Sadly, this is rather how not to sound like Duff. Not enough clarity and, of course, chorus. Check this guy out, he nailed the tone: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kIDSlJWZqK50mas

[@ampthebassplayer]

Mine sounds closer to this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f6fWhJxvj7imZqs