Paul Gilbert's Guitar Collection: A Personal Tour of 5 of His Favorite Signatures | Reverb Interview

Paul Gilbert, guitarist and co-founder of the hard rock supergroup Mr. Big, had an affinity for an oddball Ibanez guitar called the Iceman. So much so that when he had the opportunity to create an Ibanez signature model of his own, he created a spiritual sibling to the Iceman that he eventually named the Fireman. In the video above, he gives us a look at some of his favorite signature variations.
Read More on Reverb: bit.ly/2UDCsFa

[@tedstigers]

Paul wrote me a letter when I was in the army serving in Desert Storm and send me a cassette tape of Lean Into It for me to listen to on my Walkman. Coolest dude. Down to earth. Amazing guitarist.

[@chorizoallpan8223]

Wow!!! thank you sir for your service too

[@TroyShahanMusic]

That’s amazing!!! What a guy!!!

[@ryanriggs9963]

That's awesome, and thank you for your service

[@Flibberty-Giblets]

"The 2 weeks I was famous in the 90s" all the talent in the world plus a self deprecating sense of humor.

[@wheelie63]

true.

[@gustavoc6812]

I was about to write about that lol

[@rll1971]

Kinda reminds me of Rick Nielsen

[@DavidOakesMusic]

The best way to be. Being arrogant and egotistical and a diva is just so ugly.

[@GuillermoSmyser]

Just multiple good senses of humor!

[@victorkoropeckyj2771]

He seems like the weird substitute teacher that everyone wishes they had

[@Rendall81]

oui

[@VexylObby]

Funny enough, I sub AND bring in my guitar to shred!

[@master.exploder5150]

I have him as my teacher

[@lukecurley8769]

I have that sub as a teacher

[@kirenswilbury6641]

@@lukecurley8769 same. It was probably the best decision in my whole guitar journey to get that course, I mean, who can teach you to play Paul Gilbert’s songs better than Paul Gilbert himself xd

[@JacksonWarrior]

Paul is the man, back when I was 16 I sent him an email basically saying how much I love his music and that he is an inspiration to me learning guitar, I wasn't expecting a reply but he took the time to respond back, meant the world to me. Such a cool dude.

[@mattemeny2606]

That’s awesome mate. Yeah, he comes across as a really down to earth guy, much respect

[@ttvdizturb3d]

dude he did the exact same thing to me, i still have it saved!! i was about 16 as well

[@alviamin3337]

@Chad Kunka man Listen to some Racer X You might need to change your thoughts about him

[@reps138]

cool story bro

[@GrimYak]

Yes he does. He also teaches in a site called Artisworks and you can send him a video of your playing. He takes the time to respond to your video, calling you out by name, not just a generic video. He is a hell of a guitar player, in the beginning he was mostly shreds but as he grew and matured he went into Jazz and blues which I think made him a better player. Very down to earth.

[@zigzagrz]

Ive yet to have seen this man have any other expression on his face other than happy, what a great guy

[@sackson2025]

Zig Zag Videos of him in his Racer X days, he had a more serious demeanor. Never bigheaded, though.

[@SingingSimplified]

Lol 1:38. The kitty is like, "Don't mess with my settings Paul!"

[@tylerrichman9]

Beat me to it...lol

[@granthoover9045]

😂😂😂 that was awesome. Cats are the shit

[@matthewdobsson3883]

Almost spit out my coffee when I saw it.

[@SalmiRahman]

hahahahahahhhaha!!

[@edytjhin7282]

Ha..ha Gilbert had a cat..cute.

[@andrewdavies1312]

Can't wait for the Angus young one 'Hi I'm Angus young. I. Gonna show you my guitars' Gibson sg 'Ok thanks for watching'

[@4572dk]

@ThatsRaidillonActually he has a bunch of signature strats and teles

[@kolesnikovoleg5651]

@ThatsRaidillonActually and Gibsons too!

[@moderato2396]

Hello I'm Kurk Hammet, and today I'm going to show you my guitars, ESP white zombie, done.

[@4572dk]

@@moderato2396 and all his other ESPs, his flying Vs, his les pauls and a green fender....

[@filips989]

I remember the website guitargeek.com where you could find most gear rigs for any guitar player you can think of. Basically there was a cartoonish graphics of a guitar, pedals, preamps, poweramps etc. all the way down to the cabs. After hours of drooling over different gear you could always search for Angus Young - Gibson SG and a Marshall fullstack

[@golf-freq]

Paul is like the guy at your workplace who everybody loves because of his humor and genuine nature. He is so likable that it is easy to forget that he is a legendary shredder.

[@johncarlonagulada6855]

I have never seen PG in an interview in which he's bored or don't want to add things in his answers. He's always passionate and very enthusiastic every freakin time.

[@ryanc2115]

Me neither.

[@bbell37968]

Great insight, and you are spot on!!

[@revchadbrooks]

I don’t know what Paul’s publicist has been doing these last couple of weeks, but I feel like he is everywhere. And that makes me happy. Because he is always happy. Love it.

[@WarrenPostma]

PG is seriously one of the coolest dudes ever.

[@josephpeccerillo1640]

I always think of Paul as a mad professor. You can tell while he’s sitting there that there’s a million ideas running through his brain. The scary thing is he’s so gifted musically that anything he thinks he can easily create. And the more you see him in videos like this the more you have to like him. Just seems like an unnecessarily humble guy.

[@ethanlawson7087]

I always think of Paul as the Jeff Goldblum of guitar

[@metalheadblues]

The Keanu Reeves of guitar.

[@RCMusic718]

this is great!

[@Kuogni]

Or Jim Carrey :D

[@patrickmayer9566]

Yes,,,,,the running and the screaming....😯...dudes the shit....didn't know the feeling was a flipped over iceman?.

[@nickristine2264]

lmao cannot unsee

[@nicholaspalacio9672]

Man. What a phenomenal player. I’m not a fan of the typical “shred guitarist”. This guy plays with so much emotion. You can tell he’s feeling everything he plays. I’ll be damned if I’m not feeling it too!

[@larsheuker]

After the 2010s he kinda stepped away from shred

[@Nghilifa]

I'm sitting here watchin, making guitar player faces right along with him 🤣🤣

[@fernandes5986]

I love him, but he still has too much gain for my blues taste.

[@areyoujelton]

Nicholas Palacio yeah he’s a fucking inspiration.

[@kevdean9967]

He's a good dude and that makes him likeable!!!

[@RCMusic718]

I love that he's playing like GOD but wearing his slippers with his cat chilling on a shelf. No one's like Paul Gilbert!

[@edbauer8790]

PALPHIE BOY i just noticed that cat 😂😂

[@TetrisShark70]

The slippers on the wah was such a goddamn great image

[@SamaelVR]

Also playing on clean settings, as usual

[@mohitrahaman]

That's one fat cat you've got Mr. Gilbert.

[@freethis222]

He's unpretensious, that's a huge part of what makes him so likeable. :)

[@MatthewHyatt]

Never been a fan of his music but he's such a cool and humble dude.

[@wviampero]

He is such a good musician and so skilled yet such a down to earth guy. I've had the pleasure of seeing him twice and got my guitar signed by him the second time.

[@chainsawteddybear]

Nobody asked

[@nckhed]

@@chainsawteddybear This is an open forum. His comment was not negative.

[@macleadg]

@@chainsawteddybear Unlike every other social media platform, where people only comment when invited. 🤦‍♂️

[@deemasyq]

His house is like a fire department.

[@robscallon]

echoes senpai dang! You beat me to it :)

[@jasonabbott1399]

@@robscallon I know you, you're making KZbin videos.)0

[@AB-vn2jc]

Rob Scallon sup dude, love ur vids, you and Tosin Abasi (mostly you) are the reason I want an extended range guitar. Also you were the first guitar KZbinr I found and inspired me to play.

[@sludgerat666]

@@robscallon Woah

[@richardbinder9662]

It should, his playing can set anyplace on fire.

[@maritime7776]

I love it. With the influx of guitarist rushing to play 7,8 and 9 string guitars, Paul goes with the 3 string. Genius.

[@ReubensLair]

He’s definitely slowed down his playing and it’s been evolving. Blues and slide playing just so tasty. A true master of squeezing every note and knowing every road possible on fretboard. Always be my favorite player

[@guitarzan73]

1:38 Cat is like,"I said turn that shit down,I'm trying to sleep!"

[@haywardunl]

I love how he references his metal version of To Be With You. He played that at Guitar Wars with Nuno Bettencourt. I still watch that video.

[@capitainemartinezjesusadan6008]

The best version of To be with u

[@abrackas1]

Should have been called “Paul Gilbert talks about his slide modification on several guitars” lol Love PG!

[@fidelrivera2887]

I love his no nonsense tone... no fluff or fuss... just phenomenal playing with gorgeous dynamics and precise technique. And he's a nice guy on top of that!

[@gohil_yajur]

“2 weeks in 90s when i was famous“ That humbleness... 🙏🏻

[@iggyfritz7150]

Paul will definitely always be one of the greatest guitarists of all time not to mention a great humble human being we love you Paul

[@samills70]

I'm always so jealous of people that find their passion early on in life and can dedicate every hour of every day to it... This man and steve vai always astound me as the goat's

[@MusicissuperiorEVHROX316]

People will tell you that Vai is full of himself and egotistical, he’s really not. Him and Gilbert are both incredibly humble guys

[@mickeygoh25]

I never particularly like Paul's music. But I truly admire him as one of the most respectable guitarists of all time. His passion, skills, modesty and happiness really influence me a lot on the way of learning to play the guitar.

[@Gilyslas]

This cat is so cool. And so is his cat. Seen Paul live so many times and every time he is better outstanding.

[@CeeTeeUSA]

His love of music and good attitude is why he's one of the best. He clearly not full of himself..

[@TheMrLoucrazy]

I really agree!

[@SasquatchBeta]

Is the cat true bypass?

[@fredriksvard2603]

SasquatchBeta lol

[@Sadowsky46]

Only when you operate its foot switch 😂

[@SaintierSet]

Bypuss

[@MTG776]

That was really funny.... As I scrolled I didn't expect to spit my Tea out everywhere...

[@mikea6710]

Yes but you have to use fe-line out 1.

[@from_spb]

Paul is such a soulful dude, when I flew in a spacesuit in space in orbit, it was very lonely, I wrote him a letter and he flew in and gave me his cassette!

[@chuckmckillip5377]

Paul Gilbert playing Zeppelin is something I didn’t know I needed in my life until now.

[@ethanrummel7638]

I find his love for slide magnets endearing.

[@andrewpappas9311]

This man never ceases to amaze me, he’s such an awesome guitarist and seems like a nice guy in general

[@Blackeyedbeaver]

The speed which he dons and then removes that slide is downright....eerie. It's...freakishly smooth. Like a magic trick.

[@GeoffSweet]

Best guitar teacher I've ever had...such a blessing to the music world!

[@alessiograziani6355]

There are more things to learn from this video than from 20 musical books!!! I really love Paul Gilbert, in my opinion he is the perfect balance between technique and feelings!!! And he's also very very funny!!! Love this man

[@DarkSideofSynth]

It never ceases to amaze me how nice Paul is

[@caprise-music6722]

The solo on ‘To Be With You’ (Mr. Big) is my favorite acoustic solo ever! I’ve never heard anyone “slap” a solo so hard, and at the same time wonderfully melodic. P.S Paul Gilbert is on my top 3 favorite guitarist list

[@richarddavis896]

I love Paul Gilbert. so down to earth and cool as well.i like when he said" that's what happens when your mom comes to visit and you don't play guitar"" I would absolutely love to play like Paul Gilbert on even his worse day possible.it would still be mind blowing.

[@GuitarExpress]

What a player and nice person Paul is. Thanks Reverb for making amazing content!

[@billmay7364]

Underrated Even overlooked. Extremely Talented . And Humble . That's a good thing .

[@rousimikki]

Gotta love the passion Paul has for guitars. Always a joy to watch him play.

[@KeithKemp]

LOL 9:00-this is amazing. I'm totally in awe and crying at the same time. I can watch this forever..

[@jankojankovic384]

I absolutely love Paul! Playing music for how many years now and still seems to enjoy doin' it! Plus - what a humble, down to Earth dude! You don't see that too often with Metal / Rock musicians! Long live Paul Gilbert!

[@JohnnyGuitaristOfficial]

@ 1:38 kitty's like, "turn it up to 11!" 😂

[@longfellow7271]

This dude is so unbelievably talented and SO under rated. What a fucking legend

[@TahaNasser]

I remember sending him an email via his website when I'd just started playing when I was around 17 years old. It was an email full of inane beginner questions. He sent me the nicest email back, answered all my questions. He's one of the good ones for sure. It's also great to see him play slide now too. Sounds killer.

[@user-wx8vw3zv9z]

9:11 Wow! Tapping Version of "To be With You" !!!

[@capitainemartinezjesusadan6008]

You should see it in Guitar Wars 2003. It is in YT. That is the version that he was talking about.

[@MichaelD8393]

Ibanez, *please* make the Purple Fireman available for mortals like us!

[@craigfarleymusician8481]

MichaelD8393 couldn’t agree more . Ever since I first saw the purple model I’ve been hoping they’ll release it ! 🙏

[@anthonychin8610]

With the extra large neck

[@MichaelD8393]

@@anthonychin8610 Easy there, I don’t think many of "us mortals" have Paul Gilbert-sized hands 😂That said, I played Paul's red Fireman and liked the neck on it (think of a perfect cross between a Gibson baseball bat 50's neck and a Gibson 60's slim neck.) Maybe Ibanez can use that neck for the purple Fireman; seriously Ibanez, get on it!

[@MichaelD8393]

@@craigfarleymusician8481 I knew I couldn’t possibly have been the only one. I have 2 purple guitars - an LTD MH and a Fender Jimi Hendrix Strat - so I've been on the hunt for a third; a purple Fireman would make the perfect third purple axe for me.

[@craigfarleymusician8481]

MichaelD8393 Yep, my favourite colour in every way. Love the purple colour Joe Satriani JS model they released too 😊👍🏻

[@stepitupandgo67]

How can anyone not love paul? One of the greatest innovators, ambassadors and teachers of the guitar

[@adamdam]

Love this guy and havn'nt seen anything of him for years myself...he really inspired me to get better at guitar and as a teen at the time I couldn't do the stuff he was showing...no where near but he'd make me wanna try at least and push myself to go further in what I do, such a happy great character and teacher of guitar!

[@kevisauceda]

9:41 “WHAT ARE THOOOOOSE?!”

[@johnmoser2689]

Paul Gilbert is so cool and down to earth a normal acting guy who's playing is anything but normal

[@langsfordmusicltd283]

thanks for posting this Reverb! Not only one of the most fantastic players of all time...he ain't a one trick shred pony, thats for sure.....but one of the nicest most humble guys on the planet as well.

[@winstontk]

This was bloody AWESOME!! I never tire of watching Paul and his antics. His cat is great, too, of course.

[@IceNein763]

The cat attacking PG for adjusting his tone was the highlight of this video.

[@BD-me4nk]

I thought the cat taking the opportunity to lick its nuts on camera was the highlight

[@ElevatedJamTracks]

My thoughts exactly 😂

[@MarcBR1]

Meh!

[@sonicaids]

I miss his apartment in japan from the old dimarzio tape. he had a freakin pterodactyl on the ceiling.

[@davejohnsonmusic]

This dude cracks me up. Love it how he gets into it at the end of some of those licks. Like, "Hell yea, that was badass!"

[@dburridgemusic]

Saw him in Leeds last year, still got it man. One of the best, and one of my all time faves, yes PG

[@Za7a7aZ]

A guitarist is blessed when Ibanez is endorsing you. They make your dreams cme true.

[@Za7a7aZ]

@MrMisterMan wow..my comment is already 1 year old. But anyways..although i rather have a gibson lp ...ask satriani, vai and those others who play nothing else...and have no problem to affort any guitar on the planet. What do you mean ..there is better. There are other guitars..but better. These japaneese guys know how to built a guitar.

[@RocketmanAleks]

The best part about this was the judgemental cat watching from the shelves behind the computer.

[@Pipboy-qn4sj]

Paul Gilbert is the best. I dont think I can watch anyone else talk about their gear this much. He just makes it fun

[@chreld]

I could probably sit and listen to Paul play for an eternity. He is the ultimate player!!

[@keptil]

"THis is what happens when your mom visits for a week and you don't play guitar at all." ...My mom needs to visit more, I'll be a pro shredder in a month.

[@JohnDoe-xr5is]

"...the two weeks in the 90's when I was famous." ha ha! Seems like a cool guy. Maybe wrapped a bit tight, but could be a fun guy to be around.

[@kingrobert1st]

I never heard of him or Mr. Big.

[@oig40203]

@@kingrobert1st How old are you?

[@kingrobert1st]

@@oig40203 Do you really want to know?

[@oig40203]

@@kingrobert1st Yes, that wasn't sarcasm. I was just wondering how old you were when Mr. Big had their moment in the sun.

[@kingrobert1st]

@@oig40203 I'm 68 if you must. But you do the math.

[@sonsauvage]

I swear Paul gets better every day man. Which is amazing considering he's been a virtuosic player for decades. The sake guitar does sound great

[@joracer1]

Paul one of the best, evolving into an even better version of himself, if he keeps this up he'll be transported to another planet that everyone else wants to be on. Wow what a fabulous inspiration. Keep it up Paul...

[@chrissavage1534]

Flashback to playing Centipede as a kid at 7:46

[@shawnmcvey7789]

The Mr. Big song at the end sounds like Paul's impression of a Rick Wakeman Yes breakdown but on guitar 🤣

[@JuanPabloContrerasC]

when someone invent a way to pass years of life from 1 person to another... ill give my years of life for paul...what a legend!

[@CammedFox]

Paul's ever present smile is very infectious! And you could just listen to him jam for hours

[@AlanW]

I used to think Paul was so cool in the 80s, and now he's even cooler!

[@ravenstrange8466]

The "Kikusui: Fireman is my personal favorite.

[@montydaniels1054]

Paul Gilbert. The guitar teacher I wish I would have had. Probably the best guitarist since 1990... Great upload Reverb thx...

[@austinwiebe3801]

I typically hate bluesy solo type things like he's doing, but honestly watching him play has totally made me love it. So much emotion and skill.

[@brandoningersoll5034]

I love that he is such an unapolegetic, regular guy...(with one superpower). The Clark Kent of shred....slippers, cat and all..

[@BigJackGameplays]

Paul Gilbert is the most Paul Gilbert person out there. The man plays like a God, has a cat as a roadie, wears slippers, and is the most amazing person ever.

[@Frip36]

You like Mr. Gilbert yes?

[@BigJackGameplays]

@@Frip36 just a little bit, hahaha.

[@albertvasutoga1374]

I still can't stop listening to his guitar intro in Mr.Big's "Just take my heart"

[@Question_Authority]

Great stuff!! thanks Rumpelstiltskin you are the best x

[@joeyskar]

My heart skipped a beat when I saw the title because I thought he was selling off a bunch of his personal items.

[@davidozab2753]

A sig is cool, but to get your own guitar shape? Awesome!

[@Hitman23NYY]

I could listen to Paul talk/play all day!

[@Billyvergissdasnicht]

i just love that guy! So humble and funny and a friggin genius! Thx for "Technical Difficulties" Much love!

[@kawicrash]

"This is what happens when your mom comes to visit and you don't play for a week" what, you still play 1000x better than me? lol

[@jordanmarkwardt]

How do I get this guy to join my band? Seems like he's pretty good.

[@edwincrain986]

Paul Gilbert has always been one of my favorite guitarist. LOVE YOU MAN !!

[@eamonmcdermott4032]

Not only is he a phenomenal guitar player, he's also a real nice fella. Great stuff!

[@bassaholicpong]

This is fake, Pual Gilbert have more than 5 fingers.

[@calvin3230]

7:25 he reached for a bar haha

[@theharvardyard2356]

Nah, just switched to the neck pickup with his pinky.

[@OnfloorAudio]

I think he was just making sure it was in the neck position . Such a killer player !!

[@erictoniaschwab1009]

Over the last year or so, Paul has become my absolute favorite. What an incredible player and what an incredibly nice guy. And he’s a cat guy 😊

[@SevenGC89]

"The two weeks in the 90s I was famous" lmfao come one man you are one of the most influential guitarist especially for me man, when I first heard you growing up I was floored and your music and your style is what made me want to step up from playing 3 chord punk riffs to learning scales and modes and theory and really pushing myself to play and write to the best of my ability which I've never done in any other aspect of my life I've always did the minimum to just skate by but hearing your playing and others like you (Vai, Satriani, Petrucci, Rhodes, Wylde) pushed me to play to my full ability so thank you for that man, You helped ignite a passion that's been burning for 21 years now and still going strong.

[@johbjo7738]

This guy is super cool, fleec shirt, Fjällräven pants, looks like he's about to go on a hike or watch birds and then shreds the **** out of those guitars.

[@sisyphushappyband]

"Here are my 5 favorite guitars" *Proceeds to show you 40 guitars*

[@JonNewquist]

This is WAY more entertaining than any episode of PG Rig Rundown!

[@70topbananaman]

The three string info was enlightening! Thanks for sharing!

[@docsferment1804]

2:07 What the hell kind of Ric bass is that?

[@MrTommyfellows]

Doc's Ferment Paul McCartney played one during Sgt Pepper days... so not that obscure really.

[@Viper-dz2kw]

Thomas Fellows Paul played a 5001 thats not a 5001

[@MrTommyfellows]

Viper 6172Paul played 4001 didn’t he? Edit: 4001S after googling 2nd edit: yes, I just realised that Paul Gilbert’s is completely bloody different! Like a Ric and a p-bass had a baby

[@MrTommyfellows]

Viper 6172 Macca’s Hofner was a 5001 fyi

[@56WagonWheel]

Haha, “sounds like your doing something complicated”, ahh yeah

[@EarthAltar]

I met Paul after a G3 show. He was just standing around the parking lot behind the Pompano Beach Amphitheatre. He's lying about the size of his hands. Pretty big? They're fucking huge. He is the coolest though. He thanked me for coming to the show, and I said, "No, thank you for all that you have done for us guitar players." Rock on, Paul Gilbert, you giant, gracious monster.

[@AttitudeCastle]

Paul honestly keeps getting better. What a dude.