On The Road with Paul Gilbert Guitarist Magazine

An in-depth look at the rig used by Paul Gilbert during Mr Big's recent UK tour. Shot at Bristol's O2 Academy in 2011. Taken from Guitarist magazine GIT349. For more guitar news, advice and interviews, and to find out more about the magazine, visit www.guitarist.co.uk

[@mrcali68]

Take note ANY professional musician...THIS is how you carry yourself. He is beyond this world in terms of talent and yet he is as down to earth as they come.

[@mikezmusic]

No matter how many times paul is asked about his set up, he's always enthusiastic to explain his gear.

[@patrickarnold237]

And the fact his rig is always changing is a plus.

[@joshuamichael4312]

@@patrickarnold237 he's also always changing as a guitar player too. He's one of the few that has evolved to a completely different player.

[@stonesvideos]

I think it makes him very sympathetic - to me it is always fun to watch and listen to him, wether he is playing or just explaining or even talking ... I remember him with a couple of other guitarists in an interview where everyone was talking about his career, his playing style and his equipment and Paul started "hey, what a lovely day and what a pleasant to be here" :-)

[@trentondylan1281]

i dont mean to be off topic but does anyone know of a way to get back into an instagram account..? I was stupid lost my account password. I love any assistance you can give me

[@andersmilan6937]

@Trenton Dylan instablaster :)

[@kutsbothways]

Paul has to be one of the nicest guys in rock...and one of the best.

[@nicholaspetergagg7769]

He always seems so open and friendly and humble, now that for me is star quality

[@cemsarioglu5947]

Such a nice guy and an amazing talent. Must be an idol for young players.

[@simonezana8034]

exactly

[@kirkwahmmet8406]

He is. yours sincerely, a young player. :)

[@graysonadams2485]

Indeed

[@graysonadams2485]

@@thegoodguy44 why does it matter if he knows him, you can tell hes a nice person by watching his lessons and videos

[@richardbinder9662]

Paul must have great parents. He's so humble and appreciative of fans and his influences. Born in Carbondale Illinois where my sister attended college at SIU. Then he moved to a rural area in Pennsylvania. Must be that down home upbringing. Definitely one of the best guitarists ever.

[@ArisAlamanos]

Of all the big name guitarists Paul Gilbert is the most fun watching him talk about his guitars, his rig and his music. The level of joy and excitement is always contageous. A wonderful human being.

[@trainspotted11]

Paul's enthusiasm for guitar is contagious. Hearing him talk about equipment and hearing him play guitar just makes you wanna pick up your own guitar and jam. With Paul, he's not like "look at how cool I am because I play guitar" he's like "look how cool playing guitar is!"

[@dajzilla]

I really love this guy. So down to earth and extremely cool/talented. Awesome player!

[@draganm7823]

@@thegoodguy44 perception

[@nhudson78]

He and Greg Koch are such brilliant players, well spoken, intelligent, humble and funny. What a fantastic representative of the shredder/guitarist community. Truly a gem in rock n roll!

[@mrmatthew2443]

It’s true Two of the very few who are able to project they’re sense of humor with their playing ., to be funny musically is such a rare gem

[@theguitarczar]

Gilbert just gave away one of the top ten secrets to a great live tone: Get a good crunchy tone with the amp and use a compressor to get a clean from the crunch. He's the first pro I've heard disclose that simple but awesome trick.

[@Three3Nill]

this guy is just so nice for being who he is. This person is perfect to have as an idol.

[@wickedjamer847]

Not only a genius of a player also a damn nice guy :D

[@chickenwing602]

Paul Gilbert has to be the most friendly, amiable, no ego approachable guitarist I've ever met. Cool guy.

[@jerryolofsson6537]

This is what a gear/rig video should include! Not only does he go through what his gear is, he also plays example of what each pedal does in terms of his sound. Other "rig rundowns" with other musicians are not this detailed and enjoyable! Nothing against the other musicians, I just know that Paul Gilbert is a very humble and interesting person (saw him live in a small guitar seminar and his personality is just incredible!)

[@KauffeyBean]

Impossible amount of talent and technique - and yet extremely humble - a wholesome benchmark for a musician 💙

[@barkomulch]

What a great guy and obviously a great musician. Well done!

[@14lamnc1]

The Marshall JCM-2000 is truly the best, great sounding for vintage to modern gain and very versatile. Not to mention they're really inexpensive

[@aorgypzy]

Truth!! love my 50 watter.

[@MrMudEagle]

I never get tired of listening to paul gilbert play and talk about gear

[@thereclinerpilots3961]

Great to see someone of his caliber consistently be so down to earth and take time for fans - "No matter how much I practice and play nice music, I'll be remembered for this bone headed trick" :-D Great stuff

[@mattg7946]

When he's talking about his equipment he just reminds me of an excited little kid that's genuine and loves what he does. Hope I can see him play one day!

[@SergioAureo]

Simply amazing, always inspiring.

[@chimptor50]

Paul is one of the nicest guys in rock! He always takes time to listen and answer questions. If you ever get a chance to meet him you'll see how cool he is. He loves playing guitar and passing on his knowledge to others to make them better guitarists. I recently took a class with him and he was super awesome and informative. Very approachable. I learned a lot in a short period and given the chance I'll do it again.

[@maninarush2112]

"the widdley-widdley" favorite phrase ever.

[@stuartbegley2085]

He's such a great guy

[@SixStringSting75]

He is such a laid back dude. totally dedicated to the guitar and all of it's sonic possibilities. Amazing.

[@jondcosta7512]

Another great interview, thanks PG. I was at this gig and it was fantastic!

[@Stratblues23]

Paul Gilbert, whether he's playing or just talking about what he does and how he does it, is always entertaining and can hold your attention like no one else can. He's just a sincerely genuine gentleman. I wish more guitar players(the ones that always criticize everything and everyone else as if they're the be it end all experts on everything) would follow his example of classiness.

[@richmonksgtr]

I think Paul has the best tone and feel of any guitarist to emerge from the 80's shred era.

[@canman87]

Part of the reason I love listening and watching him play is that you can just tell he has fun doing it. One of my favorites.

[@rockdinosaur666]

Saw him in Edinburgh 2 years ago at one of his guitar clinics and he was so self effacing, down to earth and easy going. Not an ego in sight. I still cant play like him though!!

[@b-sideplank]

So full of energy and creativity...magical funny man!!

[@ctpmark]

Been a fan of his for over 30 yrs and he omly gets better! can't wait to see him later this year in OZ

[@angryheb1]

Ultimate player, teacher, and all around awesome dude!

[@paulsharkey6576]

JCM 2000's are my favorite amps. Big, Warm....Perfect!!!

[@ryensmith]

Paul sounds like the nicest down to earth guy while being amazingly talented. That is so rare these days... God bless this man.

[@connofthe100]

What a nice guy and amazing player, and still so excited about sounds, truly awesome dude, long may he rock!

[@Shadowsreach1]

Simply AMAZING! what a great individual, musician! very cool rig,

[@MrGibble64]

seriously . . . this guy is one of the best ever !

[@jeffday7465]

I met Paul in Nashville a few months back. Genuinely the nicest human being on the planet. I got the VIP package and master class. Arrived early and went in the wrong door. Actually came out backstage while the band was doing pre soundcheck. Asked where he was and they said, "He's in the bus practicing. He practices ALL the time." This guy absolutely loves playing guitar.

[@gtrfrkkkkk]

This guy is so awesome.And he knows exactly what he is doing at all times.

[@youpeopl_music3220]

I love Paul. What a sound!

[@RobJMeronek]

Thanks for the gear tour. Nice soloing in the end to!

[@luciomaniac]

I like Paulo Gilberto so much. Listening to him talking is exactly like listening to his guitar playing.

[@gordontubbs]

Wow... raving review for the JCM2000! So glad I got one 2 years ago!!

[@std882]

Totally agree, hearing him speak in so many videos, I can tell he is a super nice guy - Steve Morse is another super nice dude.

[@martyisabeliever]

Love his almost child like fascination with the sounds he can make... Thank you God for Paul!

[@sassyguitars]

Paul, you are a great guy with a great attitude and such a great player, hope to meet you some day.

[@chuckyinges]

Paul is all about bringing the fun and cool element of playing guitar to the masses and he has such a cool personality. That is probably the reason why he got so much respect from the younger players. Go Paul!

[@Salantsoundstudios]

Aw love paul, seems so down to earth!

[@stephanjones8424]

Seriously this guy is genuinely a great guy. I would love to meet him.

[@ennykus]

I want to get a replay from The Good Guy who replayed 'You don't know him' to some comments before. You know what? I've been Paul Gilbert's fan since I don't remember when. He was the reason I picked guitar. He is the nicest guitarist I've ever watched on youtube.

[@sillennium]

Nicely done video. Well done! Paul always brings it too!

[@GianniCalicchio]

I love that man!!! He's a nice person and an incredible guitar player!!!

[@Nicolas-yb7jf]

This guy is amazing and personal. He sounds great with stock gear!! And the way he figured out to clean the sound with a compressor is awesome.

[@justin0185]

Omg that chorus tone though.. straight amazing

[@adityatyagi4009]

He's such a consummate professional!

[@wasteyelo1]

Will do dude. Thanks for the heads up.

[@yugijan2196]

I needed to hear that...thank you!

[@MrJimmyjazz666]

so true. I love that he is such an intensely good musician, yet still so humble. Not a hint of arrogance in him

[@gary5150]

If you do, you wont be disappointed, Ive been lucky enough to meet him a few times. True gent

[@Ps1504]

Paul is always fun to watch...

[@vox1966]

So down to earth great guy one of the best players

[@zublacus]

Awesome....that's just the way Paul is in person too....love the Ronnie Montrose lick.

[@christophermurray2666]

I love seeing Paul's interviews. He's such an incredible talent, but completely down to earth. Also, I've been watching videos of him for years and just realized that is Dane Cook's doppleganger. Very similar voice too. Sorry guys, no putting that toothpaste back in the tube.

[@brucifer0]

Agreed. He seems like he would be a great teacher, regardless of genres

[@Actionmen1234]

Amazing Sound!!!!!!

[@ddhuber]

Thanks Paul!

[@w00p678]

Thank you very much!

[@kamusnesia]

Humble man, virtuoso, great player in the world

[@gmrios]

Paul Gilbert. What a good egg! Great interview!

[@thomasmcguire1961]

What a great, down to earth, guy

[@gordontubbs]

Awesome plug for the JCM2000. Highly recommend picking one up. While the made-in-England versions are fewer and far between these days, you can probably find an English DSL50 Halfstack for $1000 on Craig's List or elsewhere. If you're a fan of the Marshall sound and appreciate the history, the JCM2000 is actually the last amp of the original lineup that began with the Super Lead (Plexi) back in the 60s... so you get a rich history and tonal palette with the JCM2000 that you wouldn't otherwise get with the JVM lineup (which is "modern Marshall" by all respects).

[@AkiraSpectrum]

awesome gear tour :-D

[@ChrisHaspeck]

One thing I love about Paul G is that his playing doesn't need to be hidden behind a ton of overdrive and distortion. His leads are pure rock. Look at his lesson video from the 80's he always said be able to play CLEAN - and not hide behind the distortion in your tone. Cheers from Canada Paul !!

[@Tehan123]

One of the greatest current guitarists in so many ways :D

[@BigBlackPug]

Love that guitar

[@notsure1135]

That guitar is amazing. I want one soooo bad!

[@mydigitalcd]

Paul is awesome.. tech & tones at their best, one of my favorite shredder..!! :-)

[@MrCoolhandLucas]

Splendid Paul !

[@BradEnquist]

(continued) He loaned me a big of rehearsal tapes from a bunch of bands that he was in before and up to racer-x. AND his dubbing deck!!! How cool is that!? He told me over the phone how to play the into into "Blowin up the radio", stuff like that. He was a very nice guy. Thanks Paul.

[@joiehendrix]

love the guitar ....awsome !

[@andrewt248]

Dang, them JCM2000's sound GOOD.

[@crumb5756]

Also that he's in stereo with the two of them. Fattens it out big time!

[@austinfailz]

I love El Pablo's playing. He seems like a great guy, very nice, has close to no ego at all, very insightful and helpful (his instructional DVDs are both terrifying and intensely inspiring), and he has killer tone. He's also quite unique, and strikes a great balance between being different, similar, and most of all, himself. A lot of guys are either way out there (love him, but Steve Vai definitely qualifies for this), or too similar (ie, they don't have enough of their own character or style), and as such, aren't quite themselves enough to boost them up higher in terms of being "guys you gotta check out." In short, Paul, his tone, and his attitude are amazingly spot on.

[@Bears_n_Lions]

Its nice to have to notes go right in in where they end up anyway. I like that! :)

[@donottawaguitar]

id love to see him live

[@mjones53]

just love this guy,

[@sl1pkn0t1100]

he just seems like a genuinely nice person, rare for a guitarist ...especially one who is renowned for shred.

[@boatingforbeginners7949]

Those sexy JCM2000's sound F.kin Awesome!

[@daved57]

Cool dude. Amazing talent.

[@massif20022000]

Guitarist magazine is my favorite mag! (Hard paper copy in glorious glossiness.)

[@Spunfuser]

Gilbert is awesome, what a terrific player who seems like a great guy-no ego. Funny as hell too.

[@highrollerzzz]

Best gig I've been to. Paul in front of only 350 people, including me. He rocked the shit out of the venue.

[@sixstringfretter]

Most folks don't realize how important the compression/sustainer pedal really is and how it can help with your overall tone. To me, it's the most important pedal in my signal chain besides my NS2 noise gate. That keeps my rig quiet, the Comp/Sus keeps it level and really holds a note when you want it to.

[@jorgeocampo1794]

Love Paul Gilbert!

[@TheKramer]

i love that clean Asus2 chord. that chord says, Hello, I'm Mr. Gilbert." Lol.

[@TheWisDude]

straight to me heart!

[@chimmych0la]

paul is a cool dude man, very talented and a great teacher!

[@PatrickWard4]

Paul Gilbert is awesome, he has such a cool attitude and never seems full of himself.

[@rcanderson4328]

It’s really refreshing to hear a guy who can shred talk like a guy who can’t shred. He seems like a chill dude.