What is it about 80s Guitar Tone? - Why is 80s Music Popular Again?!

Stranger Things has put 80's music back at the forefront of pop culture! So what is it about 80's music that was so good? Specifically, what is it about 80's guitar tone? Today we go back in time and rediscover the sound of the 1980s! | tinyurl.com/2o7aq7gk
Guitars Used:
» Fender Player Stratocaster FR HSS in Polar White | tinyurl.com/2fado5lm
» Charvel Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 HH FR In Burgundy Mist | tinyurl.com/2j5x9oz3
» Kramer Baretta in Blue Sparkle with Flames | tinyurl.com/2lrewtf4
» ESP LTD M-1 Custom '87 in Dark Metallic Blue | tinyurl.com/2gs3cwb8
» Jackson MJ Series Rhoads RRT in Gloss Black | tinyurl.com/2oztzqtu
Pedals & Amps Used:
» Strymon DIG Dual Digital Delay Pedal V2 | tinyurl.com/2o4a7v8q
» Maxon OD-9 Overdrive Pedal | tinyurl.com/2lhkk4vt
» Universal Audio UAFX Golden Reverberator Pedal | tinyurl.com/2hnfsaa7
» MXR Phase 90 Orange Pedal | tinyurl.com/2hca5xfj
» MXR Dyna Comp Mini Compression Pedal | tinyurl.com/2n6xve6u
» Boss GE-7 Graphic Equalizer Pedal | tinyurl.com/2kvbefxj
» TC Electronic 45th Anniversary Gold Chorus Flanger | tinyurl.com/2qzsz43d
» Marshall 2525H Head & 1936 Cab in Custom Finish | tinyurl.com/2fxq47k6
» Marshall 2525H Studio Silver Jubilee | tinyurl.com/2z9n25un
» Marshall Studio Classic JCM800 Valve Amp Head | tinyurl.com/2jjlgka5
Always check the website for accurate and up-to-date pricing and product specifications!
📰 Check out our blog on building the ultimate 80s pedalboard!
» blog.andertons.co.uk/learn/ul...
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» • OUTDATED - How to Orde...
⏰ Timestamps ⏰
» 0:00 Intro Jam
» 0:42 What Are We Doing Today?
» 3:55 What Gear Are We Using?
» 5:33 Some basic Tones
» 6:10 What Guitars Are We Using?
» 10:22 Let's Play With the Marshall
» 13:25 Trying Out the Pedals!
» 24:42 Randy Rhoads' Tone
» 27:27 Iron Maiden Tones
» 30:05 Taking a Look at Kramer
» 34:09 Some Paul Gilbert Tones
» 36:05 ESP & George Lynch
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#Andertons #80s #strangerthings

[@michaelforde4373]

For those of us that lived our young lives in the 1980s , it never left us

[@santosmadrigal3702]

I was a teenager in the 80's . Wow ! People of today can't imagine life without a cellphone or a computer . I remember we/ I everyone were involved with , were involved with living life . All I see now is people staring at their cellphone .

[@gameboycat05]

@@santosmadrigal3702 I'm always staring at my phone because I'm always blasting Glam Metal

[@santosmadrigal3702]

@@gameboycat05 stop waisting time doing that . Practice being a really good Glam Metal guitarist .

[@edthejester]

Amen

[@gameboycat05]

@@santosmadrigal3702 that's why I'm blasting my music. I'm studying to be the next George Lynch xD no but seriously that's mostly what I use my phone for is guitar practice. Definitely trying to be one. My goal is to spread the word of Rock and Roll, especially to my generation who don't know what good music is.

[@garnetbezanson1404]

I think a lot of 80s music is becoming popular because it is positive and optimistic sounding in what feels like dark times.

[@ccaputa]

And real musicians, no auto tune.

[@adc_ax]

@@ccaputa real musicians use auto tune and similar software in studio all the time.

[@ccaputa]

@@adc_ax Yes, I was referring to groups today that rely on it for everything. Personally, I'm not a fan of it at all. Have a good day.

[@lekkerblankastudio]

yah they never criminalized breathing fresh air in the 80s.

[@tylerpoe8628]

So teue

[@KRAZEEIZATION]

The Rules of 80s guitar. 1. It has to have a chorus pedal on it at all times. 2. A Floyd Rose bridge for big whammy dives. 3. A crunchy DS-1 Distortion into a Marshall or Mesa Boogie MK2 amp. 4. The riff has to fit into a drug deal scene in Miami Vice. 5. Tapping is optional but essential.

[@DavidBrown-it9ig]

Nah Blue Thunder sound track

[@rothloaf1980]

I feel like somewhere an animal print pattern should appear, probably a day-glo color, like green zebra skin or pink leopard print...

[@Birkguitars]

Oh God, the "never off" chorus pedal was HORRIBLE.

[@cunjoz]

things can't be both optional and essential at the same time

[@Scott__C]

These are things people who didn't live in that time would say. Lots of great crunch tones without chorus: Sykes, Bratta, Vai to name a few.

[@cww4700]

Ratt was amazing and so often overlooked. Warren DeMartini is a phenomenal guitarist.

[@kilgoretrout321]

Ratt and Scorpions have some awesome 80s guitar

[@greenslider]

Ratt were heads above everyone else until '88. Songs and musically. Detonator had a great opener but felt different. Beau Hill had a really great feel for that era

[@skimm72]

Eddie was the man who started the modding guitar trend

[@MaestroJericho]

I think not knowing what he was doing at the time helped since he really messed around with what worked.

[@austinsadler1403]

For me it's largely that music in the 80s, of all types, was just itself. It wasn't so afraid of being cringe that it had to cloak itself in nine layers of irony and post-irony, and that's refreshing to folks who haven't been able to bear the vulnerability of admitting they genuinely like something.

[@sonofflynn6369]

Absolutely agree!

[@christopherweise438]

Absolutely. Look at how many people thought Spinal Tap was a real band and not a parody.

[@gameboycat05]

@@christopherweise438 Ozzy thought it was a real documentary when he went to go see it. He wondered "Why the fuck is everyone laughing?"

[@christopherweise438]

@@gameboycat05 - I also heard one particular band swore THEY were the subject of the movie it that close to home.

[@gameboycat05]

@X Ennial same, they kick ass

[@ryanaudley4176]

Def Leppard really deserve a mention in this video. Pyromania and Hysteria are both 80s guitar masterpieces.

[@Dwightpower88]

The amount of tracks used just on the guitar was insane

[@gameboycat05]

Thank Mutt Lange for that

[@DavidBrown-it9ig]

They used little headphone amps made by Scholz for recording.

[@Nightwinflyer]

High and Dry for more 'real' guitar, my favorite Def album!

[@Hiro.the.God.]

They really do

[@megaduck7965]

For me John Sykes is the holy grail of massive 80s guitar tone , for the intro to Bad Boys alone, never mind the rest of the song or album

[@jfo3000]

Sykes!

[@Metallex]

John's sound came from double tracked Mesas, absolutely huge wall of sound.

[@megaduck7965]

@@Metallex sounds massive live as well , especially on that Bad Boy live album

[@Metallex]

@@megaduck7965 Yeah, I love that sound. Don't know if you've ever done this, but listen to the album version of Here I Go Again, and then the single remix from 1987. The single remix has no John Sykes parts OR his Mesa sound on it. Coverdale got some random (can't remember his name) to blast out some super basic guitar parts using standard boosted Marshall and there's absolutely no life to it.

[@megaduck7965]

@@Metallex I think it was Adrian Vanderberg who re did it , which was convenient because he went on to do the tour n write a load of slip of the tongue

[@gaz0463]

Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow. Nobody seems to mention him anymore and yet people like Steve Vai say in interviews that Ritchie was a huge influence on him and was the reason he started playing guitar. His 1st guitar was a strat like Ritchie’s. Ritchie was the reason I picked up the guitar and learned to play. Ritchie it an awesome guitarist. A true trail blazer and exciting to watch live. Definitely my No1.

[@dingushussey4100]

Blackmore was my first guitar hero and still my favourite

[@gaz0463]

@@dingushussey4100 👊

[@dreamerdeceiver6592]

he is in the very top of my favourite guitar players imposible to choose one but he is one of the guitarists that are always on the very top of the mountain haha

[@Gorbyrev]

Absolutely, Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounders in a Strat is a hot rodded Strat.

[@gaz0463]

@@Gorbyrev it certainly is.

[@deepiper6529]

My favorite Satriani album from the 80's was "Flying in a Blue Dream". Great album. I was in my late teens and 20's in the 80's. It was a great time to be young.

[@sholland42]

I like his two first albums the best myself, great player.

[@McRocklin]

For me, 80's especially Synthwave is also just so much fun to play over. It's one of the reason why I started McRocklin & Hutch, so we can throw a modern spin on 80's synth inspired music. It's just such a blast! 🤘🏻

[@santosmadrigal3702]

In the 80's people were creative . Today's music depends on a computer .

[@listairgin]

You Sir ( Mr McRocklin ) are in another place and time as a guitar player compared to the majority of guitar owners the world over. I absolutely loved hearing your explanation of sawing the horns of one of Steve Via’s original Gems that he loaned to you when you were just a kid. That was truly amazing lol. You are on a level that I can’t put into words as a guitar player Mr McRocklin, Thanks for sharing what you do. 🌠🌅🌌👌

[@DemoDick1]

Something about 80’s synths coupled with a Rockman sound and cannon-shot snares just makes me want to get out the Aqua Net and spandex.

[@philomelodia]

I feel the same way. I’ll put my amp on clean, turn the chorus on and try to weave little pentatonic licks in among the synthesizers on my favorite 80s tunes. It’s a lot of fun.

[@jerbear1601]

In the 80's everyone had to be a good player or you were out. When the 90's came nobody played much of anything except 3 or 4 chords without solos. and it was quite distressing to those of us that spent time learning to burn on guitar. You still had Satriani and Vai etc that kept it alive.

[@danackroydsbutt]

It sounds like you were 'learning to burn' for other people's validation.

[@michaelwills1926]

@@danackroydsbutt the bar was set pretty high back in the day

[@jalmodov7817]

@@danackroydsbutt The problem was that people who could only play three chords turned their noses up at guitar virtuosity, like they were above that. That attitude killed guitar driven rock in the end. I'm glad it's made a comeback.

[@racheladkins6060]

I was a teenager in the 80s. I used to visit guitar shops in my city and look at all the Jackson’s, Kramers and Charvels and then I looked at the price tag and my heart sank like a lead weight.

[@butcho7492]

Lol. So true.

[@paulgordon6949]

Yeah. A bit more affordable nowadays though.

[@robcobi]

I got a $99 starter kit and felt blessed to get it as a poor kid. It was a strat knock off and the guitar was worth every bit of that $50 (lol so not good). Still it was my opening to guitar and I loved it. Sadly gave it to my brother to use when I went to college and he chucked it. I bought an Ibanez S540 in the early 90s and never looked back. Such a fun time to be alive!

[@TwoThreeFour]

I can relate... I really really can relate

[@spacejockey4746]

@@paulgordon6949 And much better made for the price.

[@Rahn1975]

It was John Sykes that completed that album, -and it was amazing. Vandenberg arrived there at the very end of tracking and Coverdale discharged Sykes the moment AV showed up. As far as the 80’s being deemed “Cheesy” by fellow GenXers all I can say is that it was music that tried to and usually achieved touching your heart. It was romantic and so very easy to crap on. I think that says more about the cynics that are uncomfortable with it it than it does the “Cheesy” creators of that timeless music.

[@shepatown]

I believe this is a scam! They tried to scam me on Telegram also. See Guitar Max channel for the dialog in the comments. Once discovered, they will delete their chats and channel.

[@caseyodonnell6621]

Sykes made that album what it was.

[@fletches4084]

I saw Vandenberg live back in the early 80s at the Hammy Odeon. Middle of a solo he starts walking backwards and goes A over E over one of the stage monitors. To his credit he did keep the solo going. Oh yes. And digital John has the most freakishly long fingers I've seen on a guitarist for many a long day.

[@tonedowne]

It was cheesy as hell, but it was fun. It's ok to like that stuff, but it had got the the point where it didn't even rock anymore. All the energy had gone from those bands and it seemed to be this endless stream of reverb soaked, plodding power ballads made by and for middle aged people. I really didn't relate to it at all, even though I had spent years listening to Van Halen, Ozzy etc.

[@barryb90]

Yeah, he was very hard done by Coverdale.

[@DC7ify]

WOAH! Perfect timing! I just recently got back into the 80s style. Been studying Warren, George Lynch, Jake E. Lee, EVH, and alot of those players after my recent blues phase. I actually just bought a Charvel So-Cal because I kept hearing the guys used those back then. Best investment ever! No wonder my dads friends always talked about them! Definetly saving this video to watch later after work. Also that JCM 800 is now on my wish list. Thank you Andertons!

[@AudaciousAce1989]

If you like those players, charvels and marshal amp tones: Check out Marc Diglio! Fantastic 80’s guitar player that broke through just in time to be too late at the end of 89. His band XYZ was fantastic, the first 2 albums especially the 2nd one is just jam packed with riffs and licks and solos. Oh, and he sported a gorgeous red charvel

[@DC7ify]

@@AudaciousAce1989 awesome! I definitely will check him out. I remember hearing the bands name once and hearing Maggy on the station a few times but never dived into the albums. Appreciate it man! Rock on

[@johnjonestheman]

Surfing With The Alien was the first RIAA-certified Gold album for an instrumental record since Jeff Beck's Blow By Blow in the 70's... it was an absolutely huge Top-40 breakthrough at the time...

[@eichaan]

One difference in the 80s was any musicians who wanted to have a career had to pay their dues playing LOTS of live dates, often for years before their records got big. I think there are fewer opportunities for bands to build a following from playing live nowadays, so the practice repetitions that old groups had is hard to get.

[@MetalHippie83]

This. It was a culture going to concerts every weekend, sometimes also in the week. It was a social thing, now concerts are just an every once in awhile thing. This os why I feel 80s music was so good because music was a passion and life instead of just something playing in the background.

[@mrcoatsworth429]

On their Powerslave Tour, Iron Maiden played almost 200 concerts in less than 12 months. That is absolutely insane.

[@TheGuitarman1968]

@@MetalHippie83 That is so very true. I can remember going to a few concerts a month, while in High school, back in the 80's. I still have many ticket stubs from concerts back in the 80's, including Van Halen, Scorpions, Y&T, Night Ranger, Bon Jovi, Ozzy, Ratt, Def Leppard, Judas Priest.. .the list goes on and on. I think a huge part of the problem was/is that concert tickets cost around $12.00 back in the 80's, to see some really good live bands and performances. Now you have to shell out 100s of dollars somtimes, just to see some mediocre bands that sound like prerecorded crap live. The crazy (and good) part is that a lot of the good live 80's bands are still ruling the concert tours today (abeit down-tuned a step or so for age related diminished singing voices). However, even with those nostalgic bands still touring, the day of the $12.00 concert tickets are now (sadly) history. 🤟🤟

[@andrewmcintosh2703]

Same in the 70s and 90s. That was hardly an 80s thing.

[@arronharvey6414]

If the councils and local authorities and pandemics and taxes would stop shutting our venues there would be loads of new blood chomping at the bit to get out there. But as it stands the only way for a lot of them to get there music out there and start to get access to the biger venues that are still around is youtube Facebook and tiktok. In telford we have lost every pub and club that could do live bands. We just got an Albert's shed but it's in the wrong place and too expensive for most.

[@Haggath]

The strat is giving me major Adrian Smith vibes! Looks lovely.

[@Banditman]

Music fans in Europe never forgot. Bands like Eclipse, Art Nation, Crazy Lixx and many more are still producing that 80's style of music today.

[@popsplace0420]

So much 80's blast that it was impossible to cover all of the technicians in that decade without a 4 hr mega episode. Great Job!

[@joecorleone]

a sharp, cutting guitar sound combined with a deep, dark wobbling bass sound, together leaving space for the most important thing: the human voice. Great concept, productionwise

[@nordgramm2544]

This episode is by far the greatest video i watched for a long time, love you guys ❤️

[@patrickstefurak3124]

The 80's were very diverse, including Michael Jackson, Madonna, Guns N' Roses, Bruce Springsteen, Depeche Mode, Duran Duran, Tears for Fears, Talking Heads, The Clash, Dokken, Motley Crue, Whitesnake, Ratt, Tom Petty, Fleetwood Mac, The Cars, The Pretenders, The Police, U2, Journey, Foreigner, Pat Benetar, and REO Speedwagon.

[@fribersson]

Great list. And The Cure, The Smiths, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Dinosaur Jr, Sonic Youth.

[@etkar150]

And Van Halen

[@eckharteric]

Don’t forget rush!

[@Jmdeclue]

We also had lots of crossovers, duets and a ton of R&B in the mix. It was a cultural melting pot.

[@michaelwills1926]

@@Jmdeclue word

[@jkwacker8225]

80s metal is my all time favourite music, and Randy Rhoads my favourite guitarist. Glad to see you included at shout to him in the video! Wasn’t expecting to see it, but now I know what to expect if you want to get Randy Rhoads out of a JCM 800.

[@simonbradley524]

I love the DIGITAL JOHN videos, he's like the talented younger brother to Lee and Pete, the banter always makes me smile!

[@stevelucas1978]

Great video! Really enjoyable trip into the tones and riffs of the 80's. Please can you do a series of these for further decades with Lee and John? The guitars, tones and riffs of the 70s, 90s etc etc would be awesome!

[@syfman6]

80's was the greatest Era for music, especially Metal as mentioned in the video. Great post! 💚🎸

[@clayjr67]

You have to do more videos like this, digital John was awesome he’s refreshing to the channel, really enjoyed hearing some of the music you played, I am an old 80s rocker myself, love the tube screamer, I don’t remember which Ibanez choirs it was the best ,there was none better thanks again u did a great job .

[@humplucker2445]

Mozarrella cheese - White Lion. Vito Bratta. Incredible riffs and solos. Whammy deep dives. That era of hair metal was just awesome. So many great bands, so much talent. I lived it through my high school years. Queensryche, Skid Row, Badlands, Giant, Alias, Def Leppard… Whitesnake’s “Still of the Night” was epic. So many more bands to speak of.

[@djay6651]

I loved Vito's style. If he had a youtube channel, I think he'd be huge.

[@ThorneyedWT]

I happen to have George Lynch signature Samick KR-564 GPSK without even knowing who the guy is. I just loved this guitar on first sight. And recently I stumbled upon some live with George where he showed up in his 70s in greek god shape and started to melt faces with skill and trickery on par with Steve Vai (which I thought wasn't really possible). Now I feel guilty for using his sexy signature guitar for dumb power chords chugging =(

[@s3any1977]

Nice

[@jameslewis2635]

I recon John did a great job learning all those 80's riffs. Going through eras like this could be a great way to make a series. Especially if you then expand it by first exploring how the original sounds were created (as in this video) and then going on to explore how you can do the same with modern gear like modelling amps/pedals.

[@MizzouCus]

Came to say the same thing. “Gear of the (insert decade or time period)”, would be a cool series. Similar to “Sounds Like…”, but focused on a more general style of a time period, rather than emulating a specific band.

[@DirkSchneiderCH]

That was fun! Thanks guys! 👍🏻🎸👏🏻😎

[@RogerBergqvist]

The 80´s. Great rock music. Back in black from 1980. Lot´s of great songs from all Metalband i love. Accept, Iron Maiden, Dio, Whitesnake, Black Sabbath, Judas Priest and and and.... The list is long.

[@prestomattwine]

Love that tri-chorus sound of the 80’s!!

[@scratchpadski9094]

Great episode, thoroughly enjoyed it gents.

[@wmvaux]

EVH was the main person who hot rodded the guitars by putting a humbucker in a strat. Kramer really was the front runner when EVH joined with Kramer and they added the Floyd Rose. Jackson, Charvel and B.C. Rich followed suit. Fender and Gibson just stayed with their own guitars. Soon to follow was ESP, Carvin...etc

[@timallen3166]

I bought the KRAMER BARETTA "hotrod " (in this video) three weeks ago. The paint job is inspired by '60's and '70's Mattel Hotwheels. It's a beast.

[@mattbrillhart2922]

I was a teenager in the 80’s as I was born in 1970. I was all about the hard rock/metal tones, but didn’t listen much to anything outside that genre. As I’ve aged, I’ve revisited so many other rock albums what would be classified now more as classic rock. Sooooo many awesome tones as well in Police, Tom Petty, Foreigner, etc.

[@robertspreitzer8126]

Yeah there’s also the over the top clean tones oh The Outfield comes to mind.

[@raytorvalds3699]

This one made me very happy. Thanks guys !!

[@jamiehadley6600]

That was awesome, John is a very talented player, great show guys.

[@lucabianco4513]

I just love how the captain looks at john smiling while he's playing, and he seems just so happy about everything, I love watching this

[@gordonshumway8030]

After EVH i would personally rank Criss Oliva ''Savatage'' the icon of the 80-90s metal ... Marshalls (presumably JCM 800s, possibly hot-rodded) and Laneys: Laney Pro Tube and AOR Pro Tube 50-watters. Criss ran his amps on the clean channel only,” or the lower-gain of two-input, presumably single-channel amps. Criss used various effects throughout his career. But it appears his “standard” pedalboard had the following components, in addition to a tuner: > 2 Boss Super Overdrives – Both all the way up except one had the Tone rolled all the way off and the other had the Tone all the way up. > Boss Chorus CE-2 (Rate at 10:30, Depth up all the way). > 2 Boss TU-12H Chromatic tuner. > Boss Power Supply, which powered the entire pedalboard. > A/B switch Chris also had rack processors, which at various times included: > Compressor (unnamed) > Rockman Stereo Chorus and/or Sustainer (used as a clean pre-amp boost) > Ibanez delay > Peavey 31-band stereo EQ, settings frequently changed but apparently the gain always all the way up. Other rack-mount units were used, including a noise gate and possibly reverb.

[@micklawrence2630]

Love it…. Been trying to play all the 80s stuff since the 80s !!!! …. My Kramer Jersey Star I got from you is helping !!!! 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@guitagious9464]

For sure - '80s rock is back, baby! Look at all the '80s bands that are touring again! I'm "lovin' every minute of it"! As a result, the '80s style super strats are popular again and available out there in droves. Got my EVH slime green 5150 and now I just need to replace my DSL-100 with a Marshall JCM800. Already got the effects under control! Thanks for this great video, Lee!! You guys are speaking my language now!

[@soniklink-WKD4496]

Jane's Addiction 'Nothings Shocking' -1987. Changed everything, so cool. Best teenage experience ever! 🙂

[@friedrudibega6384]

Top 10 album of all time for me too! Bridged the gap between chops and coolness.

[@whssy]

Nothing's Shocking was 1988. Sure - the songs were written before that, as were the songs for "Ritual de lo Habitual". In Britain Janes came in through the door that goth bands like the Mission and Fields of the Nephilim (the first band they warmed up for here) had held open after the Sisters of Mercy, Bauhaus and the Banshees. Janes were the last truly colourful rock band. Saw them in 1991 on the Ritual tour and their stage was like a voodoo temple. Glorious.

[@soniklink-WKD4496]

@@whssy Epic days indeed! 😎

[@cosmictalesofthewesternedg4655]

Personally I think the 80s was probably the climax of really good popular radio hits, arguably the 70s but either way it started going downhill fast in the 90s. Now I'm not saying there hasn't been good music since then, there is absolutely incredible music out there, in every genre, it just doesn't get played on popular mainstream radio anymore.

[@PhotoDude801]

I love Digital John! I love the Captain, too! Great vid...so many memories from that storied time!

[@sparklerdynamo9187]

Great video, I'm fully embracing my inner 80s rock/metal guitar child at the moment.

[@jakesekerak4902]

I've always thought a Gibson direct into the JCM 800 is a classic 80's tone. Dream rig right there.

[@lmn0potts]

Nuno doesn't get the credit he deserves! John, Rob, Rabea all droppin' Nuno riffs in these vids, love hearing it!

[@dredd7]

Loved every bit of the video! 80's for the win! 😄

[@garryfmacdonald]

Best video you have done in ages. Maybe you capfuls repeat for all the decades!!👍

[@joebalusikiii5811]

One of the greatest and most innovative gadgets was Tom Scholz's Rockman. It contributed a ton to 80s tone.

[@BillLarkinmusic]

Nope lol and yes. If you used it you sounded like Tom Scholz; (Not a bad thing just not what i needed at the time) And yes, it was an innovation in guitar processors!

[@4572dk]

@@BillLarkinmusic hahaha what do you mean no. Megadeth and a ton of other bands used it.

[@templatemusic]

@@BillLarkinmusic dude the first time I tried a Rockman I was flooded with early Satriani and Def Leppard vibes

[@BillLarkinmusic]

@@templatemusic Yes i know. I didn't say the sound was bad or anything like that. Just didn't sound like me. Sounded like someone else..

[@BillLarkinmusic]

@@4572dk Yes i know. I didn't say the sound was bad or anything like that. Just didn't sound like me. Sounded like someone else..

[@rarh3643]

The best 80’s esque album to come out in the last year has GOT to be the Star-Lord album “Space Rider”. It was made specially for the new Guardians of the Galaxy game, written and recorded almost single-handedly by their head audio director at Eidos. Great, fun game with a killer licensed 80’s soundtrack already, but the effort this guy went through to craft such a great original album is phenomenal! Honestly, it’s better than Dethklok could ever hope to be 👌

[@backlom]

Jon’s such a talented player. I’m also glad to see your shirts 👕 come in child sizes.

[@briietsai1997]

Yesss. Been waiting for a video like this

[@robchaloner7534]

John absolutely smashing the 80's riffs!? , He seems to have got the hang of playing 😂🤘

[@BradPham]

Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler, SRV, Satriani, Jeff Healey, Gary Moore, Vai, Eddie VH, CC DeVille, Richie Sambora, Mick Mars, Paul Gilbert, Steve Stevens, Angus Young, Slash, Nuno, a young Eric Gales … too many to mention. Some great solos there - Dead Or Alive, Shook Me All Night Long, I Remember You, Sweet Child O Mine, Every Rose Has It’s Thorn, Poison (Alice Cooper) … Lasted across 1990 until Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Sound Garden - great guitarists too but a different sound.

[@wearesofucked]

Love this video. Just hanging out and tinkering with cool gear.

[@michaelglucksman147]

Love the enthusiasm!

[@zachary963]

Here’s my take on why 80s stuff is back in vogue: People have been doing the overdriven Marshall sound for a billion years and it’s started to just sound old-fashioned. Meanwhile, the 80s had so many different unique things going on that there’s something for everyone. Personally I don’t play Marshall tones because I’m afraid I’ll be lost in all the noise. I wish that there was more recognition for guitar music that isn’t just the heavy stuff. Robert Smith and David Byrne are great guitarists, but no one ever talks about them because they want to talk about Slash instead.

[@kennhern]

At first I liked the Marshall sound but that "sag" bothered me, then I realized I liked tighter tones more, as I get more definition on the palm mutes

[@zachary963]

@@smelltheglove2038 lol you might be right

[@troycollins1265]

For me the 80's was a Pinnacle of the Rock Scene... Twisted Sister rented out the Chancellor Ave Car Wash Irvington NJ to Practice, and Clubs Everywhere With Major Talent... And that 80's Tone Everywhere. Troy from Atlantic City

[@cloremancey2653]

Oh my god yes the twisted sisters, along with Def Leppard, Motley Crue, Ozzie… MTV was a glory at that time👍😎

[@troycollins1265]

@@cloremancey2653 MTV Was King... Were You a Fan of Don Kirshner's Rock Concert??

[@huskylove-666]

Lee I’m distracted by the shine on than tanned head. Sunshine or sun bead.. ???love this . My favourite era and hope you’ll be playing this in another ten years. Brilliant tones

[@dirklevmilk]

I love my Strymon Dig, superb show, thanks Captain!

[@tedrackley6233]

More 80's please! Vito Bratta, Zakk Wylde, Jake E. Lee, Randy Rhoads, John Frusciante, EVH, George Lynch, Steve Lynch, Steve Vai, SRV, Eric Johnson, Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler, Daryl Steurmer, Jeff Healy, Billy F. Gibbons, Mike Rutherford, Andy Summers, The Edge, John Scofield, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Paul Gilbert, Warren DeMartini, Carlos Cavazo, Robin Crosby, Mick Mars, Richie Sambora, John Sykes, Marty Friedman, Vivian Campbell, Angus Young, Slash, Nuno Bettencourt, Lita Ford, Andy Timmons, Kirk Hammett, Reb Beach, Robben Ford, Larry Carlton, Gary Moore, Robert Cray, Rik Emmett, Alex Lifeson, Frank Hannon, Blues Saraceno, Ted Nugent, Danny Gatton, Kee Marcelo, Vernon Reid, Brian Setzer, Ty Tabor, Brad Gillis, Carlos Santana...and on and on and on...the 80's were a great decade for musicianship!!!

[@mohammadal-yatama122]

Be warned. The other dude who told you that you won something, that is a con/scam. They have been going around guitar channels telling people they won and to contact them on another platform where they scam people who comment on KZbin by telling them to pay for shipping for example to receive the giveaway guitar.

[@vonhenry7087]

Great List Ted, going to add C.C. DeVille, Chris DeGarmo, Michael Wilton, Adrian Vandenberg (I was fortunate enough to catch Vandenberg/Campbell/Sazro/Aldridge Whitesnake lineup when I was ~17) , Phil Collen, Steve Clark and perhaps my favorite 'tone/feel' (and I am not really a 'metal guy')...Matthias Jabs. Like you said sir...On and on.....

[@maxg.-musician02]

Fantastic list of fantastic players, my friend! So glad you gave Gary Moore a mention, as I love his '80s hard rock / metal period and its a real shame that, in a way, it's almost forgotten now by the masses. I'm also a massive Genesis fan, so its cool so see you gave both Mike and Daryl a mention (though he's probably better known amongst the Prog fanatics as an amazing bass player, he did have some damn fine moments on lead guitar. Whenever I'm noodling on my guitar, I always start playing the solo from 'Abacab'.)

[@petermontgomery8707]

No schenker on that list 🤨

[@guthriejames]

So glad that Ty Tabor made your list here. His guitar tone on Gretchen goes to Nebraska is still my favourite of all time.

[@TonyLondonUk]

For the ultimate 80’s sound It has to be a Rockmanx100,(If you know you know) most major 80’s power ballads used & it as it sounds magnificent been looking for a good example for over 8 years now super rare & not many around as it’s very cheaply made but it’s a definitely a double banger RockmanX100f🔥

[@jlawishere6685]

I had two of the X100s, even recorded some clean stuff a string at a time like on Hysteria. Amazing things. Noisy though.

[@TonyLondonUk]

@@jlawishere6685 but again the noise is what makes it, just like guitar to amp feedback that’s the nostalgia of it being real, Iv tried the digital path just can’t do it, the new fender amps are amazing you cannot tell they are not valve powered super light but it’s a mind thing just feels raw a steak without the salt type of thing I am sure it’s psychological still fantastic but super expensive overpriced, a grand For the tone master Hmm however the x100 is a banger for sure! That’s why they are hard to get & super expensive people ask what they want & they get paid because it’s so good

[@jlawishere6685]

@@TonyLondonUk Yeah I had to notch it with EQ but Def Leppard did it too so it's all good. Unique and wonderful sound.

[@TonyLondonUk]

@@jlawishere6685 spot on you definitely know what’s up 👍🏻

[@daleborgen3439]

I was lucky enough to buy a Rockman X100 in the early 90’s for $75. I forgot about it, but found it in a box in my garage during the pandemic. :) I am thinking of holding it for a bit longer as the price on Reverb keeps going up and up.

[@RodneyWallaceDynamoC]

Oh yeah! That's what I like. Thanks Lee for this video 😁

[@colsandoz9134]

Love the videos !!

[@VonBluesman]

I like it a lot. May I have some more please. LOL 😂 The 1980’s Rocks !!!

[@DanIvyOffical]

I’m 30 and have always gravitated towards 80s guitar tone. Warren DeMartini is the tone.

[@thomasandersson9605]

The intro riff to Lay It Down. Omg !!!

[@leftofzeroofficial]

Warren Demartini is an absolute monster player.

[@DavidBrown-it9ig]

Some of the tastiest , and musically relevant licks in rock for sure

[@jng1226]

Even George Lynch joked that his good friend Warren Dimartini got rich and successful copying George's style. Check out George Lynch's Sacred Groove solo album, it is the epitome of rock shred and the tones are incredible.

[@DavidBrown-it9ig]

@@jng1226 I love George, even went to a guitar clinic he did. His and Warrens style arent that similar though.

[@waynebridger4998]

Loved the video. The Captain looked like he was in his element here. I am a big Sambora fan as well.

[@ak47dragunov]

That Vai tone definitely needed a lot more gain, but all around great video. Love the banter and of course the tones

[@Sniper12360]

I believe James Hetfield started using ESP’s by 87 with his MX220 explorer’s and Kirk was 86 after trying Scott Ian’s ESP he ordered a custom M-II the MM-270 (Zorlac)

[@xavierguerra100]

I think you should do a part 2 and look at clean/chorus and overdriven 80s guitar tones that came out of the LA Studio scene. :D From people like Steve Lukather, Mike Landau, Dann Huff, Jay Graydon, Tim Pierce etc... (and EVH to an extent as well). In terms of 80s guitar tone, I think there's sort of spectrums of different sound and treatment that perhaps sets those listed above away from those mentioned in the video.

[@kjetilalexandersaltnes8643]

🎯

[@che2335]

Randy up'ed the guitar game for sure based on the competition in 81. Learning as a teen in the 80s made me a more technical player having to cover current tunes. It has elements of blues jazz rock that touches current downtune metal chugging as well.

[@ledhendrix5054]

Really enjoyed this Vid , lets not forget that alot of Bands and Steve Vai Back then were pushing their Amps with the Boss DS 1 , I couldn't see one on the table .

[@christopherweise438]

The first guys i remember who "hot rodded" strat style guitars were EVH (obviously) and Alan Holdsworth. I've seen pictures from '74-'75 of Alan playing a strat with dual humbuckers.

[@BillLarkinmusic]

Ritchie Blackmore.

[@christopherweise438]

@@BillLarkinmusic - That's true....but i didn't remember that, as i didn't get into Blackmore until later, and all the footage i saw of Deep Purple Mach II he was using "stock" strats with single coils and a Fender wiggle stick.

[@BillLarkinmusic]

@@christopherweise438 wow cool!

[@glenproctor1999]

Definitely need to do an early seventies version of this! Deep purple, Black Sabbath, Zeppelin, Free!

[@ChiefMiddleFinger]

Agreed. Can’t have the 80’s without the 70’s. Well, at least some of it anyway.

[@FransvandenBergeMuziekschuur]

Great new chap. Great chemistry with the captain!

[@dennisdickie2377]

Maiden/Havarti, it’s just a good solid emphasis of what cheese should be. Love your videos guys. Been watching for about 7 years, and I’m always excited to watch a new video, never boring 🤘🏻

[@TM-tr3wb]

I simply think most of the musicians in the 80’s spent a lot of time on their craft. They practiced a lot and payed their dues coming up in clubs and got really good. Even bands like Duran Duran had really good musicians and a really good guitarist. Most 80’s guitarist even in so so bands were really good.

[@KM-302]

This is very true. I dismissed 80's guitarists at the time coming from a 70's background. Today, playing many 80's covers, mostly pop I fully respect those guitarists of the time. Some great riffs and tunes.

[@Chris-kc5id]

I remember an EVH interview where he said people used to say to him "you're so lucky you're so good at the guitar" and he said he never went out, never partied, never socialized, just went home after school and played guitar all night. That's why he was so good. I don't think it's possible to have that 80's technique without devoting your life to it.

[@Nashville_Cat]

Fun video - thanks! I just broke out my old Tom Sholtz Rockman.

[@mruncletheredge]

Damn, I wish I still had mine.......

[@deanherbig9178]

made me think of tones i was chasing when i was a kid , great show

[@TheZeke1970]

Digital John was a good sport here, going all in on some some licks--awesome job!

[@danfango1333]

I generally disregard shredders, but Steve Stevens has always been a hero for me. Jazz, funk, Flamenco, pop, blues....and taste/ imagination at full throttle flash. Guys my age will never forget.

[@davidj.a.8442]

The lyrics to the intro song kind of tell the story of 80s music. On one hand, you have the so formulaic it's exhausting rhyming couplet: "you're poison running through my veins; I don't want to break these chains." It hurt to type that. But then you've got, in the second Prechorus, "I want to hurt you just to hear you screaming my name." And that's so damn visceral and unapologetically problematic that it's absolutely brilliant. The theme of the decade is flashes of unmatched potential fighting through layers and layers of vapid bullshit.

[@sebastiancamillusnielsen228]

80s music is the best, im 20 and have some van halen, ratt and motley tatts and my friends like listening to it when i put it on so i think its making a comeback

[@figu7716]

I love it when The Cap'n and the guys are genuinely having fun. \m/

[@gooberthoreau]

Music seemed to "bloom" in the 80s in terms of influences, variety, and popularity. As we moved into the late 80s and beyond, everything seemed to narrow as it moved it on.

[@jimshomestudio4669]

There’s a preamp called ADA MP1 that emerged in the later part of the 80s which to me is the trademark sound of that era. Outside of that Marshall can be found pretty much everywhere prior to that and is one amp most everyone should own. Pretty hard to beat a Marshall.

[@OrangePony75]

Same with Marshall JMP-1 rack valve preamp, I guess.

[@ordinalkirk]

Rockman

[@MuvoTX]

Rockman x100 to me is the 80s tone

[@ordinalkirk]

@@MuvoTX Yes!

[@JamesStreetStation]

ADA MP1 > Alesis Quadraverb > Marshall EL50/50 > Laney cabs...that was my go-to rig in the late 80's early 90's. Iconic sound for sure! Today I can reproduce all of those components in my Fractal units. Much smaller, lighter, and easier on the back! =)

[@bb_lz9790]

That was fun, thanks!!!

[@klauswhitedreamer]

That '80-ies chorus sound is always so iconic, it reminds me of o better life, so beautiful! ... ♥️😽

[@legionnairegonk4425]

The 80's was the height of popular musical innovation before the decline of the music industry started and Simon Cowell / iTunes ruled the world... People HAD to be creative - they could not just press a button on an app to make 'beats' or DAW / auto-tune their way out of musical playing or singing incompetence. The fact that their was still a healthy live music circuit didn't hurt either. Even the most glamorous of 80's acts could cut it live - Eurythmics, U2, Simple Minds, Duran, Ultravox, Spandau, Howard Jones, Depeche etc. They all learnt their craft and cut their chops on the pub and club circuit before hitting the big time.

[@stephenpepper1790]

80’s the height of popular music? There’s some great stuff, but equally terrible stuff as well. Nostalgia is a hell of a drug

[@ericsherman4181]

Being in high school in the 80’s, there will never be people like Eddie, George Lynch, Warren , Nuno Bettencourt , Vito Brato etc….. it was the time for guitar players. They were excellent song writers and solo players, nothing today really compares.

[@toddman26]

No chorus on Vai's tone...he used an Eventide Harmonizer. Rhodes had a very thin sound...listen to his isolated tracks, it cut through nicely. Great guitar playing...loved the Nuno stuff and then The Trooper (Maiden)! Great video!!!

[@joshwmusic6838]

AWESOME VIDEO!!!

[@markplourde3122]

FYI, and sure it's been mentioned, Adrian Vanderburg's only recording with Whitesnake was the solo on Here's I go again. The 1987 album "Whitesnake", the one with still of the night, etc. was John Sykes and the follow up to that was basically all Steve Vai as Vanderbrug was injured.

[@stevehawthorn8733]

The only song Vandenberg played on was the solo on the shorter 45 single version of Here I go again but not the album version, that's John Sykes, all Vandenberg did was butcher John's parts live, plenty of evidence on KZbin

[@suedeface]

Right when Lee mentioned that was when everyone knew who the guitar players were.

[@emiromiranda1214]

@@stevehawthorn8733 are you sure his solo is not the one heard on the album as well? I'd have to listen to it again, but replaying it in my head just now, and it really doesn't sound like Sykes.. the rest of that album and the other solos just sound kick ass, while the HIGA solo sounds pretty tame in comparison.. sounds like a different player.

[@stevehawthorn8733]

@@emiromiranda1214 yes the album solo version is Sykes, Vandenberg played nothing on the album, turned up after it was finished and only contributed a pretty amateurish solo for the 45 version, plus miming to the videos including the fake violin bow bit in Still of the night which is actually guitar and keyboards then proceeded to butcher the Sykes parts live trying to pass himself off as some sort of guitar God which he definitely is not

[@SomeKindOfMadman]

Not very much into 80’s metal, but 80’s guilty pleasure for me would be The Cure, Depche Mode, Oningo Boingo sort of stuff

[@sebbylow4592]

Big thanks from France !!!

[@ALTRON3]

ACE video for my favourite era 🙂 Sounded great and fun too.