MAX CAVALERA Explains the Real Reason why he Plays 4 String Guitars!

[@owenjnelson-fb9mg]

The bassist in the band Doom only had 2 strings when they were recording the peel session. The engineer asked the bassist why he had 2 strings. “Oh it’s in case I break one”

[@DrillerKillerTube]

Fortunately he didn't play the berimbau, which only has one string! 😝

[@bradleyb4920]

Nice! Have to add the late Mark Sandman of Morphine. Their sound was way more chill, but He played his bass using only 2 strings (A and D string) and a slide.

[@jaychub6910]

@@bradleyb4920great mention, he truly elevates the band and compliments the saxophone

[@zandig666]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@Konsortium_Seven]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@dragonmodel9262]

in 1984 his string breaks and he never replaces it .genius

[@Spaghetti_policy]

That’s why he gets paid the big bucks. Lol

[@dragonmodel9262]

@@Spaghetti_policy 💯

[@metalfather8139]

just don't try with your underwear

[@bolachas31]

😂😂​@@metalfather8139

[@MB-rn4ul]

@@metalfather8139 You mean not replacing the string when it breaks? 😬

[@rfdc]

For some reason the strings weighed more than the booze, but he still decided to use the money for booze and not to replace the strings.

[@hamupinhere]

I think the chains must've broke on his scales a long time ago, and he never replaced them.

[@codeP08]

It's weird how our brains work. If I don't see this comment, I never even realize he fked that up, lol

[@jor-el1298]

Hahaha, thought the same thing. Like... Shouldn't it be the other way around? :))))

[@garetthobbs9719]

Now I finally know why Max isn't popular for his fancy guitar solos! Seems like this concept is working so far.

[@rexrocker1268]

Lots of awesome people aren’t. Dino Cazeres has all the strings in his guitars but he rarely plays lead, mostly heavy rhythm. I’ve seen Max with all the strings at times, but he doesn’t need them.

[@AjHxze-lx4jn]

Or maybe he’s just incapable of composing and playing a decent solo? So removing the 2 strings that are used most in a solo is a great cop out, sure.

[@seanpower4724]

That’s his budget signature model guitar also. He has signature guitars worth thousands yet he’s playing a $600 guitar love it

[@mrwoopass]

Right? I noticed that, too. It makes sense if it was an OG custom that turned into the MAX-200 RPR, but nope... Frugal AF to the core.

[@-Christoph]

If you're playing live with rings on your fingers and perhaps alcoholized you're probabably not wasting your good gear. Let alone if it gets lost in transportation.

[@mrwoopass]

@@-Christoph can't fight that logic.

[@Tyrant175]

@@-Christoph He barely “plays” anymore anyway. He let himself go decades ago.

[@jordanbuckner1023]

Sold the primos for alcohol

[@andrewdobosz3682]

I told my friend this a long time ago, his response was "oh yeah maybe at that one show or for certain songs hes got only 4 strings " i said no it's always all the time, his response once again that's just impossible. Well Justin here , here it is, i was not full of shit.....

[@kattegat_twin]

That Justin guy, he's always wrong.

[@hamupinhere]

You hear that Justin? Now everyone's laughing at you. Everyone.

[@sleepalaska]

i hope justin gets to see these comments and this video.

[@cody5890]

Justin's a damn fool.

[@chrisw5742]

lookup tenor guitars.......

[@RetroSwan]

Max is a monster guitar player. My second CD was Arise (Got my CD player late). That album still is still a masterpiece, standard tuning and heavy as fck.

[@robertsylvester3542]

I love max, the original Sepultura man! He was my inspiration to play guitar. And the reason I was able to get into my first band. Huge inspiration

[@trustmeimmexican]

At least he's honest. Djent musicians use 7-strings only for the 7th string.

[@Nibblerr]

7 strings are old news grandpa 😂

[@MoonOvIce]

​@@NibblerrThe existence of 8 strings and more doesn't suddenly negate the usage or existence of 7 or 6. Most metal bands still commonly use 6, some use 7, very few use 8.

[@damienkoy4689]

​@@MoonOvIcehave u heard animals as leaders? They use 2 8 strings & no bass

[@MoonOvIce]

@@damienkoy4689 Yes, I'm aware of them and Tosin Abasi. They aren't the norm though, but I know of bands using 8 and 12 string...again, still not the norm.

[@metalsage5135]

Literally never true or even close to being true. It’s probably a stereotype based off of Jared Dines videos or something.

[@brettd530]

Never were two strings missed less.. F'king living legend man.

[@nomad927]

I love Max. Such a good natured dude.

[@zrayburton]

One of the best!

[@thedeadkeepitmetalcovers]

So when you buy a Max signature... does it only come with 4 strings??? 🤔 I hope so! 🤘🤘

[@warthogA10]

Yes, and bottle of vodka. ... you have complaint? 😡 Please call 1 800 cry more

[@skinf]

​@@warthogA10🤣👍

[@thedeadkeepitmetalcovers]

Yess! 🤘🤘@@warthogA10

[@tehdogefather6546]

improvise, adapt, overcome

[@alchemist1111]

Not much to overcome when you didn’t use them anyway.

[@baluchon2505]

@@alchemist1111 Yeah didn't really have to improvise or adapt either. If anything he got rid of some useless string noise 😂

[@zrayburton]

Refuse, resist (changing strings)

[@djdanger9812]

Good to see Max's health better and his playing coming back.

[@animeswitch]

i guess if all you do is chugs, there really isnt much point having the other strings lmao

[@KalosPVP]

Hell there are bands that could get away with 1 or 2. In todays metal ive heard songs where they only play the lowest string open.. never fretting. Modern metal is dog shit. There are some bands still killing it, but i really think much of it has been dumbed down.

[@justaguy2365]

I felt that way in my first band when I played only rhythm. I didn't even play the e or b. I'm glad I learned to play solos lol

[@jeanchristophevalossiere]

I guess if you only have 4 strings, the only thing you 'll do is shugs

[@damienkoy4689]

​@KalosPVP that's like spinal tap where Nigel sez, see this e string, we use that a lot.

[@chrisw5742]

@@jeanchristophevalossiere naa I would have it in 5ths tuning and play all sorts of stuff... I have a 4 string tenor banjo. I also use 5ths tuning on my classical guitar but it has 6 strings. A tenor guitar though has 4 strings and is tuned to 5ths. It is awesome. I hate the chugga chugga stuff

[@jadong8989]

Max and Jimmy Bower of EYEHATEGOD play 4 string guitars. Good company

[@mikejames5743]

Jimmy does too ? cool!

[@jkorkea]

and Wes Borland

[@creepin_deth]

​@@jkorkeaWes used 4 strings for only one song, Nookie. Besides, he came up with a special tuning for this. Otherwise, he always plays 6 strings.

[@TroopsofDoom666]

​@@creepin_deth7 strings too

[@jomesias]

Can’t believe no one is talking about the benefit of less noise from not having the higher strings! This is actually a studio recording technique, Hetfield and Hammet did it. Probably still doing it! Also not having to mute the dang higher strings when riffing! Hey, looks like he doesn’t play LEAD AT ALL! This Makes PERFECT SENSE for a riff machine like Max to do this! 🤘 And more money for booze! Haha 😂

[@AAAA-lt9hq]

Max didn't need the high strings. Andreas played those very well. Interesting that the implication here is that pre-1998 Sepultura must not have had any rhythm riffs using the high strings since most Sep songs are going to have both guitars playing the same thing.

[@jcurwen]

Quite same reason why I played lot of time with four strings, and also reason was that I just love to play just differend riffs and not the solos. My music teacher always called me the "four string wannabe bassist". But Max was the idol almost 30 years ago, and his legacy is still with my playing, I am a riff based guitarist even I have six strings in my guitars nowdays.

[@AlexRamosDrTaz]

String removal/reduction is a time honored tradition, folks. Buzz Osbourne goes without a high E sometimes, Keith Richards tunes to open G and ditches the low E in some guitars...

[@psiklops71]

i'd love to see buzz and Keith Max got's the Vodka

[@Hyperlink1337]

there's no e string in open g dude

[@supernothing77]

Pete Townsend I believe wrote Pinball Wizard because he was missing a couple strings

[@psiklops71]

@@supernothing77 and missing other things lol

[@PlasticCogLiquid]

Pretty sure the B52's guy played with four strings too

[@TheIronbar69]

Seen them in 1991 in Cologne - one of the best live bands I’ve ever seen

[@ekremdursunluer9119]

Can someone tell me which song that is 01:14 ?

[@6Barbarian6]

Wow this the first time I see him play the guitar. He can actually play. Usually he’s doing the Kip Winger/ Tom Araya single note open string.

[@denverrandy7143]

Get it Max!!!We Love ya.👍

[@regor5150]

Nobody's ever accused Max of being one of the greatest guitarists of all time..... So, makes sense.

[@IvoSousa]

for what he plays he would be fine just with 3

[@exit5hellbound552]

Nah only 2 should be enough

[@chrisroy6370]

One sting n one fret

[@BAKERXVIII]

Nowadays? No strings and just him pretending he is picking 🤣

[@joaogaspar9155]

Yep. Drop Dree 😅

[@ckvfamily]

I think I remember hearing he played with 3 strings for a short while at the beginning, until Andreas wrote a song with the 4th (G) string

[@diegolatorre6793]

I declare this musically valid.

[@steviewolfeofficial]

Tbh this is actually routinely done, as is just taping off unused strings. I did it recently during recording some rhythm riffs because I wanted a cleaner take and didn't need the top two strings making noise. They arent used at all during those parts.

[@SpacePirate313]

I've been a fan of this man since I was 14. Just turned 40 and still love this dude.

[@filipkantyka6739]

Born 82 and a fan since Arise.I love how you can use simplicity to create such a great vibes ❤

[@bryansomerville3847]

Nice to hear from the old guys. Wait, that’s exactly the age I started listening to him and my exact age now…

[@ehdrootofbeard4411]

A very riff-centric decision. I like riffs. Therefore... I approve... 👌👌👌👌👌👌👌

[@biffstronghold3926]

Can't argue with that logic.

[@raresalbu07]

name of the song?

[@ban_slayer]

Now he uses 6-string guitar. Check last Go Ahead And Die and Cavalera shows(Morbid Devastation and Beneath Arise tours). So he really can play guitar(even play some small solo).

[@kaiobikeg8749]

I really don’t use high e or b when I jam on my guitar. I’m not into soloing so its rarely used.

[@angrybalkon1471]

But full chords with palm mute and Higain sounds amazing

[@EasyThere]

Does doing that twist the neck over time or does the G tension balance it?

[@themadbassist795]

The heavy metal equivalent to The Presidents of the United States of America 😂

[@JDubzDrumz]

Wellllllll they're missing 3 strings sooooo save a bit more 😂🤪

[@richardjohnson7638]

Five strings, three guys, one band under God. Gotta love it! 🤘🏼😎🤘🏼Peaches!

[@soapalot]

PUSA have some little friends with two string, one string, and no string guitars. They plug em all into the back porch.

[@kurtleywade2102]

I heard it’s because he can only count to four.

[@TheOneTrueAJ]

I'm curious how it broke if he doesn't use those strings.

[@ClifftopTragedy]

Rust?

[@BAKERXVIII]

@@ClifftopTragedy Maybe? Since it is humid Brazil we're talking about here. I haven't changed strings in a year and no breakage yet...

[@NPC-30]

1:46 Did the downpicking get too difficult after a while?

[@ForLorNVuLgaR]

what song is this?

[@Hogman666]

Ace right hand and great damping technique!

[@marcraygun6290]

My bass player was same with top string, just said he never uses it

[@a1waystreet-j86]

Very Cool I really enjoyed hearing & learning this. Thank you Doll💜✌️💜

[@randallbryant9456]

☆ YES...I LOVE "MAX'S" ATTITUDE...I NEVER KNEW THAT HE DID THAT.🤟🎸🤟

[@ShawnJonesHellion]

On my 6 string bass the top an bottom keep everything set so I can retune the mid 4. On 6 string guitar tunings it would take 15 minutes to reset a 6 string tuning to something else perfect. (if I could). So I just bought multiple guitars. So I have 6 string bass but mostly play the mid 4.

[@GrahamsYouTube]

One of the most important figures in metal, without him we would not have such awesome riffage! He is like a trebly bassplayer that chugs like a power drill! 😁

[@angrychivafan]

Anyone know the model of his guitar? Looks nice.

[@search895]

I think it's his model

[@search895]

kzbin.infoxqykgUF68Rk?si=cBgh8LUaZ74qwnMQ

[@chaseadams5037]

Max is one of my mount Rushmore of metal. 1. Dime 2. Dave Mustaine 3. Max 4. Ozzy 💪😎👍

[@willy42-03]

After the bass VI now I introduce the guitar IV

[@eldiablo3794]

What tuning does he play?

[@metaldog4642]

At least he admits choosing booze over guitar stuff. But how cheap was the Vodka? 😂

[@yoshikigrg8]

Apparently as cheap as the guitar strings. 😂

[@MoonOvIce]

​@@yoshikigrg8This is Brazil and in the 80's, guitar strings were certainly way more expensive than booze (Brazil has very cheap vodka in plastic bottles, he didn't mention "which" vodka they bought).

[@metaldog4642]

@@MoonOvIce Cool! I get it. I try to listen to Sepultura without Max, but I can’t get into it.

[@MoonOvIce]

@@metaldog4642 Yeah I can't either, even though I started to come of age when Derrick was in the band, my older brother who's 10 years older got me into the older Sepultura first so that's what I listen to...and Cavalera Conspiracy (which is the only thing Max did outside Sepultura that I actually like).

[@metaldog4642]

@@MoonOvIce You don’t like Soulfly?

[@seanmurphy26]

I remember when i saw SoulFly open for Pantera like 23 years ago, and Max was playing the sickest Gibson SG with the Brazilian flag on it, wonder if that had four strings also..

[@TheSWCantina]

Was that an SG?. I always thought that it was an ESP Viper.

[@seanmurphy26]

@@TheSWCantina maybe

[@gailpink504]

It did have 4, and the 2 unused machine heads and string posts were removed also

[@HERBERTBARUC-nz8ds]

With 4 strings guitar, the riffs sounds more heavy and clean. Due to the noise made by the other 2 strings frictioning while not muted right and stuffs on a regular 6 strings.

[@johnnyzoom7andthenoisekeep514]

It works! Im old....holy shit that ARISE Tour in early '90's ??? I saw sheared my head off at 20 paces. God damn beautifully brutal!

[@sergioandrespazaraque]

Hi! Anyone can help me? What is the band on the t-shirt? Thanks!

[@snackbraff]

bolzer. really sick 2 piece band

[@sergioandrespazaraque]

@@snackbraff Thank you SO much. Listening right now. 🔥

[@XELACRAFTS]

I hear what ur saying but I play solos a lot live so I need the strings

[@colewelcher505]

What song is he playing in the second half of the video?

[@poeldog7818]

I think it's a Soulfly riff.

[@stirfry5560]

Song name?

[@The1trueDave]

Didn't Scott Ian of Anthrax have a guitar that was only fretted up to the 12th? Similar idea I think!

[@a_planet_on_fire]

Yeah pretty sure he dropped the high E string too

[@PeterVenkman_666]

Legend. You're the greatest Max

[@detenator890]

What song is he playing at the end of the video?

[@mikejames5743]

Insane - Cavalera Conspiracy

[@bulldrumm]

I playey with 5 for years. A tuner went bad, and a bit later i lost a saddle. I got used to it. 5 string and a drop A.

[@CirclingtheFringes]

Must have been filmed around 2010 or so?

[@joekil1278]

No, 2017. It is the Psychosis album opener.

[@ren.yanbekov]

What the song does he play?

[@joekil1278]

Insane, the opener of the Psychosis album

[@polaris6933]

why play lot string when few string chug?

[@jamesennis8837]

This dude is a legend in the scene an deserves life time achievement award

[@TheRemulosEpsolonProgramme]

Is this recent? He looks in better shape for a change

[@darkodroid123]

Legend of real Death Metal 👊

[@pattonPwr]

Max Cavalera is a LEGEND

[@hellasrockriffs6347]

It's enough for riffs & groove

[@LadyFairChildVideo]

he used to day different in the past. that it was because he didn't feel the necessity of having the b and high e (standard tuning) since all his music was brutal lower sounding stuff and only needed the four strings. yep he said that before....

[@EthicalArboriculture]

I’m so old I can remember when it was his roadie saying he didn’t use those strings so why fit them

[@BAKERXVIII]

If you're referring to the olden Sepultura days, the reason is actually because he had Andreas Kisser doing all the lead guitar shredding whilst he kept the rhythm locked down. He never does lead guitar stuff, rarely uses the G string too, Hungry is one song where he incorporates some lead licking but that's just harmonization with Andreas.

[@Offline877]

I still drive a 1984 celica “the super beater” rusted af with each tire a different size. I figured the math - as long as it keeps going

[@ScuzCuz]

He’s such a Crustie and I love it! Miss his dreads tho!

[@aurozappa305]

The real question is what happens to the 2 strings that are not used ?

[@bat0s4i]

That doesnt work for me. If i lose one string, even if i choose a song that wont use that string, for some reason if i dont feel all the 6 strings on my hand o just cant play. (And its aleays the g string)

[@metalrainstorm5447]

E,very A,sshole D,eserves G,ood B,ooze E,veryday New Acronym....

[@poser_disposer]

I jammed with a guy who only used 5 strings, and honestly, he only needed 4 as well. Unless you are doing big chords or solos, it doesn't matter. The high strings aren't for heavy riffs.

[@maximomartinez6843]

Max Hermano , God bless u , eres grande x SIEMPRE

[@jamesoshiro3181]

One of metal's great frontman.

[@phillipgriego4675]

He should get an 8-string and still only use the 4 😅

[@NormireX]

Easiest guitar tab ever.heh I think I saw maybe one full power chord played in that entire thing.heh I don't listen to Sepultura or any of the other bands Max is associated with anymore. Roots is as fare as I got with old Sepultura. Love those old albums though.

[@warrennelson2925]

His riffing is looking pretty sick ! 🤘

[@waywardanarchist]

hahahaha...always wondered myself why max used only 4 strings....ps....love the conflict patch..respect...max always supported the underground punks from discharge to doom and a shitload others...ive nothing but respect for the cavalera clan....im also glad max wont go back near sepultura or play with andreas as conspiracies and soulfly are a shitload better and also total unadulterated respect to maxes wife gloria who despite taking grief has done such a wonderfull job keeping the two brothers going and time has prooved the lady has done a wonderfull job....i played with sepultura a long time ago and i remember walking into the venue and my amp blew up....i thought right thats that fucked but max appeared and stood beside me a laughed and said relax dude you can use my amp...i have such respect for this family and all the wonderfull support for local bands down the years...a true ambassador and an absolute gentleman

[@hellersbuildingremodeling7771]

Wow ! I could play this good in elementary school - this guys genius to make a career out of this - god bless

[@chrisw5742]

He should try out a baritone tenor guitar from Eastwood. I LOVE 4 string tenors. The 5ths tuning is awesome.

[@alexeibezzubets5081]

Maybe ESP should make guitars for Max with only four tuners? 😁

[@AlwiellandQBello]

you simply removed the higher 2 strings

[@onerandombruh]

Funny thing is that he's usually sloppy live, but here he seems to be sharp and focused... Booze? I don't know...

[@Manzanahh]

probably early in the day

[@ZanderBattaglini]

You have to have sharp and focused if you're recording an album in the studio I guess

[@fuzzyechoes]

I want to know how Max reacted when he first tried out cocaine, and how it affected his playing and gear choices.

[@cheritto4274]

Мы любим тебя Макс!!!Горячий привет из России🤝

[@Metallizombie]

He doesn’t even refer to them my their names 😂 hard to argue with his results

[@oopsydaizi3s824]

I broke the high e string on my 7 string guitar. Now its just a string tuned in A standard

[@MASTERRIFFS]

Max Max FOREVER 👍😁🇧🇷

[@hansmillermiller476]

Tudo que ele precisa! Abraços aqui do Brasil, pra você! Vida longa pra ti! Que Deus te abençoe, sempre! Tmj, Max!

[@leandro_oliveira_inhumane]

A palhetada afiada voltou, massa demais, grande Max 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@makmcqueen8634]

Looking at the video he still has three more than he needs.

[@m0ney4me]

Reminds me of the guitarist from cky since they did no solos n he only played the low end anyways. Also look at that sexy fucking guitar he’s holding

[@SaberToothGary]

Only uses 3 in the video... love that dude!

[@hanslundberg4089]

I never use more than four string myself, but i still have them on the guitar.

[@thedddemon]

Isn't the intonation all messed up?

[@GySgt_USMC_Ret.]

Alcohol, or nail clippers?

[@youngmike8645]

Alcohol, you can but off finger nails.

[@GySgt_USMC_Ret.]

@@youngmike8645 Hopefully, you meant to say "bite".

[@youngmike8645]

@@GySgt_USMC_Ret.yeah. Autocorrect since the last apple update has been horrendous changing what I know I typed out right.