On the Road with NDV: Paul Gilbert’s Mr. Big Road Rig

Shop Paul Gilbert’s signature sounds 👇
TC Electronic MojoMojo overdrive pedal - Paul Gilbert Edition 👉 sweetwater.sjv...
Ibanez Paul Gilbert Signature PGMM11 electric guitar 👉 sweetwater.sjv...
JHS PG-14 Paul Gilbert Signature distortion pedal 👉 sweetwater.sjv...
Listen to the 30th Anniversary Edition of Mr. Big’s iconic album, Lean into It
Spotify 👉 open.spotify.c...
Apple Music 👉 / lean-into-it-30th-anni...
Sweetwater’s own Nick D’Virgilio was recently tapped by none other than the legendary Paul Gilbert to join Mr. Big on the first leg of The Big Finish Tour, lending his percussive panache to the band as they ignited stages throughout Japan, South Korea, Singapore, China, Taiwan, Thailand, the Philippines, and Indonesia. NDV got up close and personal with Paul Gilbert to show you the gear he uses to evoke his signature sonics on tour, night after night. Check it out!  
Catch Mr. Big on the road for the 2024 leg of The Big Finish Tour! Learn more here 👉 www.mrbigsite.com/
Keep up with Paul Gilbert, NDV, and Mr. Big on Instagram 👇
Paul Gilbert 👉 paulgilbert_official | / paulgilbert_official
NDV 👉 ndvirgilio | / ndvirgilio
Mr. Big 👉 mrbig_music | / mrbig_music
Looking for more with Mr. Big? Check out the full series of rig tours, interviews, and more in On the Road with NDV 👉 • On the Road with NDV
After you watch, check out Sweetwater.com today for all your music instrument and pro audio needs! 👉 sweetwater.sjv...
For more from Sweetwater, follow us:
Facebook: / sweetwater
Twitter: / sweetwatersound
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#Sweetwater #PaulGilbert #MrBig #NDV #TheBigFinishTour

[@sweetwater]

Want to see Paul Gilbert’s rig in action? Catch him with Nick D’Virgilio, Billy Sheehan, and Eric Martin on Mr. Big’s The Big Finish Tour, where they’ll perform Lean into It in its entirety! Find out more here 👉 www.mrbigsite.com/

[@jsl21]

"I don't really do that much fast picking", said the fastest, cleanest picker ever. Also appreciated, "classical music... neither of which I'm particularly expert at." Yep, Guitars from Mars part 1 absolutely doesn't feature PG playing a dozen classical pieces perfectly... This is why I love PG - just a humble, down to Earth human being without an ounce of ego, but who can melt fretboards and faces like no one else

[@theharvardyard2356]

Lol that's what I thought. The idea of making fast picking harder because you want your pick scratches to sound better is such a Paul thing to do.

[@TheTimmynator666]

One of the biggest rockstars ever but doesnt have the attitude of a rockstar. Lots of respect to this man right here!! Salute to mr paul

[@paulgilbert3139]

No drug, no alcohol, no cigarettes, Paul is the healthiest rock star that ever lived

[@theharvardyard2356]

@@paulgilbert3139 On the other hand his ears aren't doing so great!

[@gokhanersan8561]

Love the patch cables !

[@ClassicPass_]

"I dont do much fast picking..." ~Pablo Gilberto..

[@tonyflorez703]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@pengenliburan4732]

😂😂😂

[@traviszhong1531]

I never practice. - Yngwie Mulmstine

[@arwah97]

I was like.. yeah right 😅

[@drdave971]

Ya but what about those arpeggios lol

[@mikeb.7183]

If they could somehow contain the excitement Paul has for playing guitar you could power a city

[@shorerocks]

Thank you, that just made my day. Brilliant.

[@TheCyberMantis]

Paul is such a cool dude. He's a wizard on the guitar. He has a great sense of humor too! His rig is a mix of all kinds of different stuff. He makes it work! He gets the tones he is looking for.

[@paultaylor2968]

Nicest warmest funniest guitar god on earth and most galaxies. Thanks paul for giving us so much joy.

[@sethlover6498]

un blowupable... paul is a national treasure... protect him at all cost....

[@roberormonde]

Nailed it

[@leonisalpha4537]

It's impossible to not like his personality. ❤Sometimes he looks like a big kid in a candy store. 😁 I enjoyed every bit of the video. Tnx

[@russk1971]

I'm glad that Mr Gilbert is getting around better. I saw him in the beginning of the year. He was moving slowly because of a fall on the ice.

[@russk1971]

@Kmlopz I took a master class with Mr Gilbert at Sweetwater Music in March. He was limping. He said that he had fallen on the ice earlier in the winter.

[@erico2001]

Thanks Nick. Paul is always a joy to watch and listen and one of the greatest guitarists on the planet. His joy when playing is contagious!

[@garylayton5719]

He and Petrucci have been my guitar heroes since the early 90s. Both extremely friendly, humble and can melt your face off with pure shred. 🎸

[@Nightjar726]

Ugh we’re all getting older. God bless Paul. Such a sweet guy

[@jkasar]

Paul has always had such a charismatic and uplifting personality. I love his excitement for music and willingness to explain and demonstrate his skills.

[@shoti_lee]

Hopefully PG would be invited for a rick beato interview

[@chrislestermusic]

Your wish was granted. 😂

[@Dark_Star98]

So refreshing to hear the actual artist go through their thought process and gear instead of a stagehand or techie, Paul's the best!

[@felipeulloa8563]

Paul Gilbert looks so humble and approachable. Nice video

[@SuperWaxer]

Paul is a legend. And still, he’s the guy who could also be in your own band.

[@sconni666]

Back in the day I came up in the thrash scene so I avoided Mr Big like the plague. I consider myself fortunate that later in life I found out how awesome this guy is. He rules.

[@nickvankempen]

Nice video! Paul is such a great guy, love him. Also cool he played a short bit of Vandenberg’s Burning Heart.

[@bongo2565]

At 9:07 ~ "Burining Heart" - by Vandenburg..!!!!! Super懐かしい～。

[@satch4u3]

Paul seems like the nicest dude

[@michaelespinosa9168]

You can never have an argument about guitars or pie. We love you Paul!

[@MauricioMagaldi]

Unblowappable is the word of the day!

[@matteomidas638]

Paul is simply a living myth!!! What a good guy he is!!! 😊

[@ledjon]

I love how willing Paul is to solve problems in “uncool” ways which makes them cool solutions.

[@raoulduke8720]

"i dont do any fast picking anymore" 🤣

[@Ottophil]

Hes the reason I put Air Classics in my SG. Sounds better than my other SG’s

[@sixslinger9951]

I met Paul back in the 80s at a small club he was playing at. Such an amazing talent and as down to earth and nice as you can get. Great to see he is still melting faces!

[@nagamata]

Paul Gilbert, master of the axe, and friendship.

[@LordVikingLive]

They say don't meet your heroes, but that don't apply to Paul. I met him and he was very nice. A real down to earth kinda guy.

[@WutipongWongsakuldej]

I wished I could go there T T… Hope you all have a good time here in Bangkok.

[@onildoribeiro886]

Ta aí um cara que parece ser super gente boa, em todas as entrevistas está sempre feliz e disposto a explicar tudo.

[@Lukeclayson]

I didn’t know that Paul uses Fender amps these days, who would have thought it.

[@tel5690]

Love Paul's enthusiasm and humor....

[@valuedhumanoid6574]

I found a BETTER way to improve pick grip. Take a soldering iron and get it hot AF. Push the tip through and not only does it make a hole, it pushes the material out so one side has a raised surface. I do 4 holes, pushing 2 from one side, 2 from the other. You would not believe the improvement of feel and security. If you don't want the bumps, lay it flat and pop them off with a file or sandpaper. And you can mess around with the file/sandpaper to get some custom textures as well. Brilliant!

[@johnnolan4312]

Unblowupable, word of the day!😂

[@srbournival]

Love Paul. Get that man a pedal switcher. 😂

[@diodesDankessAndDives]

Yes, love all of Paul's videos 👏✨️

[@SimpsonMusicProductions]

9:10 Vandenberg 'Burning heart' 🔥 🤘

[@binkwood]

Out of all the "shredders" Paul Gilbert is my fav! He's more interesting melodically and rhythmically and he plays more tastefully than the other big name shredders. Mr. Big has great songs in addition to having players with big chops!

[@Skooma4u]

I may never find Paul Gilbert when he finally becomes a mushroom

[@richarde3378]

Paul Gilbert is the best! Great rig rundown, Sweetwater. Thanks!

[@thepeetjournal4469]

9:10 Nice. Vandenburg's Burning Heart

[@DrMarceloTorres]

"Unblowupable" 😅

[@JiTiAr35]

Man, he looks like a professor of a university now 😁. But he's genius as well after all

[@brentheathersimons7042]

Paul is such a riot! I met Mr Big's lead singer Eric right before they opened for Rush in Worcester MA ! Then years later met NDV at a very rare Spock's Beard concert in Mass. I'll never forget!😀 Cheers Fellas! Brent, VT

[@driz77]

Somewhere around 1974, I was hanging out with Doc Kauffman in his Santa Ana home as he was "tuning up" my Strat. I knew how to adjust my Strat --- I really just wanted to hear Doc's stories. During that visit, he finds one of the new plastic milk cartons (in the trash, pre-recycling) and cuts out a pick shape. Then he takes one of those old railroad conductor hole punches and puts 3 holes in the new pick. He hands it to me and says "that there is the Doc Kauffman pick." It looks so much like Paul's multi-hole pick. I still have it! (Hi NDV!)

[@NitroModelsAndComics]

What a genuine dude...

[@jasoncrump1886]

Paul is such an awesome guy.

[@breakingbrad2129]

I never knew Gary Oldman played guitar...

[@smartrn1]

Just so cool. Tremendous guys. Thx so much. 🤘🏻🇺🇸🎸🔥

[@kenminerva]

Love you, PG!! Nice rig rundown, Nick! 🤘🏿🤘🏿

[@tedcabana]

I love the magnet idea, I've always been looking for a way to mount it to hold, and make accessible, that runaway slide in such an effortless way. I remember watching Eric Johnson switching back and forth with the slide. But he would hold it in his mouth, as it wasn't long before a stream of drool would come trickling down. Great performance, but very undignified. That problem is now solved. My alternative idea was to hire a midget to stand to my left side and hold it, apply it, and release it. It was very hard to find such good help.

[@nigelduncan8522]

Great to see Pauls latest Mr big tour Rig...cheers ..rock on!!!

[@IanChin-w3g]

Nice. Paul threw in a bit of Vandenbergs 'Burning Heart ' in there.

[@sld67869801]

Nice! PG bringing out the Vandenberg Burning Heart licks.

[@jonholland6067]

Absolutely!

[@bike_lain]

So down-to-Earth guy. The Keannu of guitar world.

[@runningintohistory]

Gilbert has to be the coolest shredder of all time. Always has been, still is.

[@GuitarAnthony]

Surprised he's not using a flanger this final Mr Big tour.

[@These_go_to_eleven_1959]

Leave it to Pablo gilberto to make up words! "UNBLOWUPABLE" ? 🤣 Been into his playing since 84! Hard to believe it has been 40 years already!

[@thelightmonkey1970]

I mean, who doesn't love this guy? ❤

[@leadbetter]

It's always a pleasure to discover a new approach from Paul Gilbert's rig, especially since he appears to be an authentic, curious, generous and kind guy in addition to being a virtuoso.

[@JimDewdGuitars]

So much guitar knowledge! Thank you for educating us and showing your gear! 🙏

[@Gentile108]

I have loved PGs music since the mid to late 80s. I have never met him but I can tell you he is one of the most humble and cool musicians you will find. His scull never expanded beyond his body. Thanks Paul!!

[@Koffieleuter]

Sometimes I think Paul Gilbert is actually David Letterman having... having... having... fun 😎

[@russellward4624]

The Jem was 1st. The RG was the lower priced version of the Jem.

[@Mar33322]

Paul the pedal scientist 🤣 He always sounds good.

[@pbosche]

I worked with him on “Artist Works” He complimented my vibrato…I’m still basking in that..the greatest compliment ever. And we’re both Pauls…so I’ve got that going for me, which is nice..

[@KevinCloss]

The Boss Line Selector! Boss's most useful pedal!

[@nickcarrato9309]

Met paul backstage when Mr Big opened up for great white and the scorpions in like 1990 at the Tacoma Dome. I worked at a music store amd a co worker that worked at the tacoma store knew him, so thats how i was introduced. Such a nice guy!!!!!! He and my coworker friend were going to go out to a restaurant for some dinner and Paul was like "cmon man, lets get some food". But like an idiot i turned the offer down as i was hoping to meet the scorpions "which of course didnt happen". Again, he's super friendly and cool, not to mention a fanominal player.

[@surfthejapstrat7010]

Pentatonic licks!!!! pentatonic licks!!!!

[@jacksguitarplanet]

But they’re still fast 😁

[@karivierimaa5908]

Ha!! I've been using a hole punch on my picks for years!! 😀

[@markcartelofficial7113]

He is starting to look like Gary Oldman. Come to Vancouver Paul! We will be honored to watch you

[@TheEnderBand]

RG is my all-time favorite guitar body- it's like a guitar lamborghini

[@JohnWiku]

Agreed man, super strat perfected! It's a shame that those AZ normal strat style are all the rage now, those headstocks are awful, nothing beats the pointy Ibanez headstock with the V logo!!

[@TheEnderBand]

@@JohnWiku yeah man, I'm with you- I'm sure they feel good but something about the silhouette is just not right to me. I'm also all about the checkmark behind the Ibanez logo too- I don't care for the prestige or customs where it's just the logo I'm usually not a fan of weird shapes because it just looks "wrong" to me but Ibanez manages to do it well whenever they make a very unusual design- the Iceman is a perfect example, but the mini version like the guy from SOAD used is an abomination haha

[@aimfuldrifter]

That Vent's sound reminds me of Roland's organs. Really cool! Paul is the type of guitarist that is so pationate about his gear that he could talk about it for hours.

[@kellecetraro4807]

He's very close to being the guitar community's Jimmy Stewart

[@huntergatherer4223]

He does have that Neil Young hairdo these days.

[@ko70fx60]

He look old but full of energy and happiness

[@theharvardyard2356]

"If you're gonna have a lousy haircut you might as well have cool looking cables!" I'm filing that one with "Low guitar strap and high pants is the best combo!" This man's wisdom is endless.

[@Zzenoix]

Such a nice human being. Talent and smartness.. Mr. Paul.

[@alexblane-layder3902]

simply a genuine nice guy - always was!

[@lastdaysguitar]

Paul is golden, what a great artist!

[@andybungert]

I love the way Paul geeks out about gear ❤

[@eduardoprieto5267]

Enjoyed this video a bunch. Thanks, God bless everyone.

[@RolanTHUNDER]

So good to see Paul playing his PGM again. I want that 1000T. I had a PGM401 with the same Gotoh hard tail bridge and DiMarzio Air Classics. Great sounding. The JEM and RG came out in the same year - 1987. The JEM came first then the RG and it's known as a sister instrument to the JEM. I have several of both models and love 'em to death :) The first PGM100 is wholly based on the RG and first debuted in 1992.

[@randomlines21]

beautiful guitar

[@MrJrNixon]

Love your idea for the slide using the magnet!

[@Davidthestratman7]

One of my favorite guitar players right there!!! Also where's the mojomojo?

[@mr.e8432]

It’s impossible not to like Paul Gilbert. He just seems like he’d be the coolest dude to hang out with. The thing that blows me away about him is how he can shred like there’s no tomorrow and then grab a slide and play on the same guitar without bottoming out and clacking on the frets. You’d think the action would be super low for shredding yet his slide playing is so smooth.

[@_azu7]

Hes the ultimate boss 😋

[@bpabustan]

The lesson here: it is important to have that rock guitarist face.

[@rosskrause3926]

I've been watching Paul Gilbert since his days in Racer X all the way until nowadays..he's just a great guitarist and person..

[@gojero732]

I always thought Paul was a flanger guy, but he grew over it I guess. The Jam Retrovibe is on my list too :-D I like his vibe and humor! Saw him once in De Boerderij in NL, best concert ever!

[@jonnyf9049]

still remembering me watching his early videos in the beginning of my playing about 16 years ago

[@c-LAW]

Paul is an amazing musician. His down-to-earth, sober, vulnerability is why I love him. Muscian celebrities are worshiped, yet Paul shows he's not a god but a man who worked it out to master his musicianship.

[@jamesryder9158]

that's it, I'm getting Paul a Quad Cortex for Xmas!

[@nathanclave]

Hey Nick! Is the whole band not on IEM's anymore?

[@jamwayofaiken-augustarockb7643]

There is no one more cool

[@garyburginjr1366]

My king