Uli Jon Roth on His Sky Guitar

One could argue that Uli Jon Roth invented neo-classical electric guitar and brought it to the masses through his work with the Scorpions in the ’70s. PG’s John Bohlinger caught up with Roth during his tour with Jennifer Batten and Andy Timmons for a look at his high-powered setup.
Originally a Strat man, Uli felt limited by the instrument and wanted something with more frets and a wider range of tonal options. The solution came in the form of the Dean Sky Guitar. Above the 27th fret, this scalloped-fret monster switches to whole-step fret spacing. The Sky Guitar's pickups are a custom four-coil humbucker with a second pickup hidden under the 24th fret. The electronics run off of phantom power via a stereo 1/4” inch input cable from a proprietary power source.
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#ulijonroth #skyguitar #rigrundown

[@premierguitar]

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[@evanward4303]

Legend says there is no fan.

[@ritchtaylor3831]

LOL. Notice John's hair is not blowing.

[@picassoboy52]

Gibberish

[@gscgold]

😆

[@munchkin2405]

He clearly said it !!! "7.52-53 i tend to use the force.."

[@mckelljenkins1025]

LOL

[@samuelaguero443]

This man is a legend!!!

[@DavidOakesMusic]

John is the fan.

[@greglawrencemusic]

At first it was; WTF? Then it became; "I can dig it."

[@destianpatrianagara1119]

Lmao ikr there must be something special behind that freaky design

[@DL-mb1ly]

This guitar must've been inspired by Neil Peart's description in '2112'. 😊

[@ZachMcCordProg]

Man has the most intonated guitar ever lol

[@giustinoscalise3177]

He is the step between Blackmore and Malmsteen but his importance is so incredibly understated. His amazing playing was unheard of at the time he was in his prime. American audiences, if they were more aware, would've seen him as an equal to, if not better than EVH and Randy Rhoades. Both of whom deserve their recognition but Uli never got his as a player that emerged in the 70's and was an absolute badass. I can't emphasize enough how amazing he was compared to his contemporaries in technical prowess.

[@ShiftysRevenge]

@user-yp2mw2ko9k Eddie Van Halen

[@CedricsSpecialLP]

@user-yp2mw2ko9k Eddie Van Halen, guitarist of the band Van Halen.

[@giuseppesoccio8933]

No matter where Uli is, indoors or outdoors, his hair will always be blowing by the wind

[@gurzair998]

it's in his contract dude.

[@SharieFox]

@@gurzair998 I literally laughed out loud at this.

[@markolsen4394]

Good one, wait you making fun of Uli,😂 HA

[@yellowhouseproductions2959]

When you see him in concert he is like a wizard or something.. he is majestic

[@HighlanderNorth1]

Yep, even when the wind isn't blowing. Even when no one else's hair is blowing.

[@steevevatzguitartraining4185]

The interviewer is so good. He literally allows Uli to go on and on... Great job..fascinating guitar.. respects to both....

[@MojoMedicineMan]

Yeah, that's true. Usually, Jon is cutting people off. Looks like Jon anyway?

[@TSWerewolf]

Gotta keep that wind blowin on his hair! Keeps up the mystical vibe.

[@hchoe741]

Wind? That's just always how his hair is. Hard to shampoo from what I hear

[@helenabolhak840]

Agree

[@Thomas-dh7sv]

lol I was thinking the wind just wanted to be in his hair

[@markolsen4394]

His hair is lining it self up with Astral Skies

[@stevemora7845]

He was playing neo cleassical shred guitar many years before Yngwie, with the Scorpions. 👍

[@saschaschneider6355]

UJR was way ahead of his time and he doesn't really get the credit he deserves

[@bertgetner9397]

@@saschaschneider6355 He gives himself all the credit he need's.

[@MatsJonason]

Oh, yeah. Yngwie was totally obsessed with Uli when i got to know him back in 1978. Used to play Sail of Charon (amazing song) all the time. He had just come out (if ever did) of his Blackmore phase. Later there would be an Al DiMeola phase...

[@crusheverything4449]

@@bertgetner9397 - If you’re saying Uli is egotistical, you’re full of shit. If you’re saying his playing gives him all the credibility he needs, I agree wholeheartedly. Which is it?

[@JPIndustrie]

“I mean it literally said in the contract ‘do not start recording without the fan on’ “

[@irmasil3]

To quote the legendary Jason Becker: "Every time I hear Uli playing, I cry..." His vibrato is astonishing and his phrasing is always on the very edge...you really fell every note and it always feels like its gonna fall apart but it never does..Very very close to a violin player.

[@bigimskiweisenheimer8325]

I think his guitar just turned the channel on my TV

[@carmineanastasio]

Does the guitar have a built in fan?

[@ObjectiveDynamics]

I met all of The Scorpions in 1975 when as a relatively unknown band they played a bar in my hometown in the North West of the UK. Me and the bass player in our band sat with them after the gig and talked until the small hours. They had some tales! They were also a great bunch of guys and nobody was happier than me when they made the big time

[@guskalogeros9021]

Amazing. Do tell some stories !!

[@grishmann1man441]

The man is an absolute legend without question!!!

[@kevinspake7338]

This guy is great. He has chased his muse and found his own way. That guitar, while wasted on me, is a beautiful tool, tuned to fit the craftsman, not the other way around.

[@patandmacmusic]

And it’s SO apparent the joy and excitement that he has for talking about it and playing it

[@JimDewdGuitars]

That double neck just sitting in the background like no big deal 😳

[@picassoboy52]

His strat playing on scorpions Tokyo tapes is some of the best ever. Speedy Coming etc, incredible playing, and so long ago....

[@irmasil3]

The Sky guitar is probably the only guitar I would be willing to pay premium money. It's such a rare and unique instrument.

[@guyincognito1423]

$27,000 for a guitar?!?!? Does it come with or without the wind machine?

[@CloudsBeyond]

Good interview and interesting to hear Uli talk more about the Sky guitars but VERY DISRESPECTFUL for the camera man to keep farting - you can clearly see the flatulence blowing Uli's hair back. The camera man should have showed respect - gone out the room farted and then returned.

[@stevemorse108]

Lets face it Germans have never been scared of being kitsch (the appearance of this instruments) ....they invented the word....not taking anything away from Uli Jon Roth's talent and contribution to rock music...he seems like a very down to earth and humble man. The interviewer is indeed great....just listening and letting his guests express themselves.....Oprah could take some pointers from him.

[@rafasounds-qi5rm]

He's a great story teller in a germanic way. He's accurate and detailed. He takes his time to convey the most precise message. Americans like everything fast and flashy and preferably with a lot of kicks and explosions

[@garnetbezanson1404]

Both can be enjoyable though.

[@idontknow-lc8bz]

Don't hate Nazi

[@stuartmenziesfarrant]

That Sky guitar is a mixing engineer's nightmare! lol

[@CaptainTrips2020]

Now that's innovation. Everyone now wants the vintage LP burst sound or a vintage strat sound or just off the shelf "metal" guitars. But this man actually went beyond anything available and made what he wanted. If i were to walk by that guitar, I'd think man that is one ugly design, having no idea it's all about function. I didn't even notice the third pickup until he pointed it out at the end. A true guitarist. All those awesome riffs and solos with the Scorpions and his still moving forward.

[@KingGrio]

Dogs love Uli Jon Roth solos because he hits those sweet notes they like to hear.

[@davidasher22]

He’s like if Einstein decided to become a rockstar.

[@kalvin3691]

yeah dude they kinda look the same.

[@hensoakira]

Jimmy page

[@Superjet113]

and just when you thought that was it, wait! Its get better! Love it.

[@phydauex]

Got the Taken By Force record in high school 70's) and Uli has been the avatar ever since. Such a unique and iconic style and approach. Part hippie, part wizard, all heart and vision.

[@sinnersdwarf7138]

I love how even in interviews his hair has to be flowing with the wind..

[@crusheverything4449]

Maybe the guy just doesn’t like to be hot.

[@4tensUknow]

Uli is a gift!

[@patandmacmusic]

I find it interesting that he mentions Ritchie Blackmore. I feel like they both are kinda two sides of the same coin. Uli’s got mellow and light/ethereal energy, and Ritchie’s intense with dark/evil imagery

[@craig4fsu]

This is great. John just lets Uli take it away.

[@samgreenly8941]

Ya,, This guy is one of the master gurus of Gutair sounds and tones pioneers..💯% and of course his extraordinary playing...❤

[@Viper-dz2kw]

The ridiculous length of this guitar always looked so cool, it must feel so badass to put this guitar on

[@crusheverything4449]

It does.

[@AlBirdy4TD]

No doubt - a living legend! And I met him twice in Person 😃

[@darthslater6077]

i WISH HE WOULD GO BACK TO STRATS AND MARSHALLS HIS TONE ISNT VERY GOOD WITH THESE NEW GUITARS AND BLACKSTAR AMPS. I KNOW HE LOVES THESE GUITARS BUT YOU LISTEN TO THE OLD TONES OF THE SCORPION DAYS..OUTSTANDING!! THIS STUFF, NOT SO MUCH.

[@paulsimmons5726]

Wow! Some guitar he's got there! I enjoyed John's allowing Roth to explain at length about his amazing guitar 🎸! The whole tones at the top of the fretboard was as cool as any other feature on the guitar. Very well thought out piece of gear, for sure!

[@jeffdiltz4356]

Glorious hair. Glorious.

[@bryanmannoia8410]

lol. no one wearing a bandana on their forehead has glorious hair. he is so bald on top but at least he was born with magic fingers.

[@aquilarossa5191]

His tone back in the day with a Marshall and a Strat takes some beating. Lots of players go searching for better, but what they had to begin with was the one.

[@diannecarpenter7718]

Thank you for this video!!🎤🎸🎵🥁

[@johnnypk1963]

Great rig and what an absolute master level player UJR is. Always been a fan. As a guitar builder myself, I’m left in awl of his guitar for many reasons. But I must say however, the crude brass “S” ruins the astatic quality of the guitar completely for me, add to that the lack of a lower bout…and it’s just off-putting to look at.

[@BMIGuitarist]

Uli's playing created that beautiful guitar.

[@cupofshutupjuice]

P.G. John, please don’t wear another tight shirt ok. John: ima wear my new flesh coloured tight shirt for today’s interview!

[@picassoboy52]

Everyone else: you're shallow and shouldn't give a shit

[@cupofshutupjuice]

SWL- 1 geez. Haven’t you got a bridge to guard or some children to scare. Calm down!

[@doublebguitarplayer9434]

Wow. That has to be the most unique guitar on the planet lol. Very cool looking to. To much for me but I guess once you learn it all it gets easier. I would love to play it tho. Great video. Thanks John. Love the channel.

[@AJDOLDCHANNELARCHIVE]

A legend and legendary guitar.

[@bryanmannoia8410]

I'm giving Uli a thumbs up because he is a guitar god. I would give you a thumbs down for reposting old gear clips.

[@YuckFou502]

Great interview. Thanks for letting Uli speak! (Vivaldi mentioned! 🙌🏻)

[@Angelrat666]

11:48 from Interviewer to fanboy in 1 second

[@billpradzinski7397]

Uli theres no doubt you are one of the greatest rock guitarist of all time. But your guitar , one of the ugliest things of all time. Sorry.

[@regiment6541]

This kinda reminds me of the crazy guitar setups in the Grateful Dead. At least Uli can really play🌝

[@mikhailshi]

Such a brilliant instrument

[@llillo32]

Amen, mr Roth, word up👏👏👏👏

[@booboodadfool8015]

Shit look like a dark souls weapon

[@jondunmore4268]

Wherever Uli stands, automatic rockstar winds swell up to blow his hair back.

[@rs-xr3ty]

A true master

[@donw.k.6877]

He is a fantastic guitarist player, but I'd love to hear him play his Strat again. The Sky guitar sounds horrible. Even when covering his own tunes from the Scorpions, it is greatly inferior sounding to the original. It is a jack of all trades guitar that is master of none. It sounds nothing like a Les Paul or a Strat in his demo, just very processed and brittle. Sometimes a great artist does their best work when they are operating within limitations. Just like his Fender strats sounded better than his cutting edge Sky guitar, I think his writing was better within the context of his original band. Would still love to see him live though because he will always be a great and original musician.

[@dingbatrambozo7749]

man the sky guitar is a chore for me. it so often sounds kinda cheap and nasty and i hate it....and then it starts to sing like a choir of angels. it is a juxtaposition for me

[@matthewpaluch777]

😎👍🇩🇪🎸🎼💣 ULI! THEE Godfather of Neoclassical!

[@evanwilliams8908]

The holy grail to all guitar modders. I want one!

[@rodentcafeteria]

The way his guitar is designed, you don't initially notice that the lower cutaway of the guitar is completely gone. And, he still has that white Strat from his early Scorpion days! Cool.

[@jaymeselliot8181]

I've never seen a guitar do that stuff. That is a hugely powerful EQ/boost circuit...its like a sonic shape shifter

[@Michael-h5e2k]

Wish I had a.left handed purple gold colour màple 6 string

[@billgeezeriommi]

Im not a big fan of that guitar when he plays higher on the frets it sounds whiny and is harsh on the ears honestly. Ive seen him play live 3 times so i am speaking from experience. Would be sick if he started to play a strat again tbh, they sound better.

[@ralphralpherson9441]

The lights in the neck for fret markers are awesome

[@drloqutis2492]

Uli is one of the best such a great guitarist!!!

[@richpeltier9519]

That's Hendrix's ghost blowing his hair.

[@iantucker4070]

I've seen Uli in concert just once in 1997 on the G3 tour - it was an experience I'll never forget - a true living legend...

[@django-unchained]

Uli is the guitar worlds own Alchemist.

[@evilangel8194]

At first he was hesitantent to then dean guitar offered him a nice payday or lots of free gutiar and a cut on everyone sold

[@410142109]

I think he`s King Arthur with his magic sword!.

[@jaysjams1517]

I saw him play in a small venue. He's an amazing guitarist.

[@ZalMoxis]

Host - Wow!!!! Uli - Ya I know I'm cool....

[@alancosens]

Yeah, get a Sky guitar... only $30K.

[@StallionStudios1234]

Very cool 🎉🎉🎉

[@rhessex]

Does his hair always do that?

[@antrygis1]

Yes, EVH, Randy Rhoads, etc. But when Uli's 1st solo LP Earthquake came out, you were basically saying, "Who?" Frank Marino was up there with him and Michael Schenker at that time but even Blackmore could only do bits of what those 3 were doing.

[@gepardretardieu4931]

His guitar design and his playing style go well together. I like neither. 11:49 John is in pain for having to say something. Haha!

[@dwarfman78]

Pourquoi ? Le gars était bon original et novateur période Scorpions. Aujourd'hui moins j'avoue...

[@Olegstuff21986]

Let's see your playing style ... Uli Jon Roth is a great guitar player.

[@BlackFlag1719]

And I always thought it was just an unusual-looking seven-string! I am amazed.

[@jimmywrangles]

Over 20k for a cheap sky guitar, no guitar is worth that much. Even if it was made by Jesus himself and tuned by Ghandi it wouldn't be worth 20k.

[@zeppelinmexicano]

Great player but also a bit of a great guitar builder and electronics buff. Very interesting guy.

[@gordondyer1]

It is Sunday morning June 19th 2020 my GOD a door to the perception of sound has been REALISED and other worlds are waiting to be experienced - life continues to unfold - thank you!!!

[@thescarletandgrey2505]

Uli Jon Roth aka The BF-109 of Rock Gods

[@MarshallAmpMan]

wish they could have made these with sellable prices to the common man, these guitars are way too expensive for the average player.

[@markgoyette6827]

Most beautiful display... Love this so much. My hero

[@kliffmcburtney]

1000 loves for Uli. ❤ Lovely man 🎸🌈🌈🎶

[@craigmacgibbon9166]

This guitar is beyond any of you. RUN

[@DennisCharretteakaDenChea]

Cool sounds,.....Sponsored "Head n Shoulders"

[@fernandogiuseppea.8259]

Magnificent guitar❤❤❤❤🎸🎸🎸

[@Owtyg23]

What piece is he playing from 11:06

[@ShineWhite-bb1fg]

Thank you very much.

[@martinmullen71]

What a great guitarist and guitar !!

[@BubbaZen10]

Wow, Uli has a new fan!

[@destianpatrianagara1119]

I wonder why 3 band EQ isn't more popular in guitars

[@christianboddum8783]

It would make the signal low impedance which doesn't always play nice with traditional amps. A long time ago I had a custom guitar put together and thought the idea of an active boost for solos would be good, it didn't work, the low impedance changed the frequency curve dramatically and sounded bad. It could work for Di. recording though, it would fly through a mixer.

[@kouzelna3295]

Damn he's awesome 😊

[@efa666]

Uli once accosted me while I was playing a Les Paul and kept saying I stole his guitar design, when I tried to explain he just kept kicking me in the shins and growling into my face. Nice guy though

[@crusheverything4449]

Didn’t they tell you not to take the brown acid, man?

[@efa666]

@@crusheverything4449 but they taste so good

[@J.Burrough]

Cool vid. It’s actually been out there a while. Glad you brought it up front again.🤘🏼