Rig Rundown: Foo Fighters' Chris Shiflett

When Chris Shiflett left No Use for a Name and joined the Foo Fighters in 1999, he almost had no gear. The band was rehearsing to support their third album, There Is Nothing Left to Lose, and leader Dave Grohl was doing an inventory check on their newest member.

“Dave asked me how many guitars I had, and I said, ‘Well, I have two, but one has a broken headstock,’” recalls Shiflett. “Dave chuckled and said, ‘We gotta get you a few more guitars.’”

The duo ventured down to Sunset Boulevard hitting all the guitar shops and Grohl gifted Shifty a pair of Gibsons (that we’ll meet later). (This story is even more proof that Grohl is one of the coolest rock stars ever.)

“I had been going to some of those Sunset stores since I was a teenager, and they’re never nice to you because they know you’re not buying anything. So, when I went in there with Dave Grohl and his AmEx card, it was a real moment for me. Here I am joining my dream band, and he’s like, get whatever you want … and he really meant it!”

Shiflett’s gear germination didn’t stop there. “When I joined the band, I didn’t have any pedals. And now my bandmates constantly make fun of me for the size of my pedalboard—it’s ridiculously big and there are a lot of pedals on it—but my view has always been, ‘as long as I don’t have to carry it around, bring them all [laughs].’”

But they all serve a purpose and allow Chris to stand out in a three-guitar band. “I do love that my role in Foos over the years has become the color guy with all these pedals.”

His growth as an artist doesn’t stop there. Shiflett’s put out punk albums in Jackson United and for nearly 25 years, he sparked endless good times in the best punk-rock cover band (Me First and the Gimme Gimmes). In 2010, he shifted his creative outlet to busting out alt-country twangers and Bakersfield barroom bruisers as Chris Shiflett & the Dead Peasants, and then, later, solo. Since 2013, he’s been hosting a podcast (Walking The Floor with Chris Shiflett) that’s featured conversations with Wolfgang Van Halen, Mike Campbell, Greta Van Fleet, Billy Strings, and recent Rig Rundown subject Marcus King. Where does the dude find the time?!

Following Foo Fighter’s recent Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert at L.A.’s Kia Forum to honor their dearly departed drummer, Shiflett carved out some precious time and invited PG’s Chris Kies to the Foo’s HQ, Studio 606. The laidback conversation covered his essential live guitars (including a not-so-golden ’57 Les Paul and a few gracious gifts from Grohl), some custom Friedmans, and a pair of unusual AC30 stacks that only he and Sir Paul have … and all his pedals that sting, sparkle, shimmer, and sizzle.

00:00 - D’Addario XS Coated Strings
00:15 - Chris Shiflett Intro
01:25 - 1957 Gibson Les Paul "Goldtop"
06:05 - Fender Custom Shop Chris Shiflett Signature "Cleaver" Telecaster
09:29 - 1989 Gibson Les Paul Custom
12:26 - 2002 Gibson Flying V
17:26 - Gibson Explorer
19:42 - Friedman Brown Eye 100W and the Vox AC30 heads
24:46 - Chris Shiflett Pedalboard

#foofighters #rigrundown #guitar

[JustinJeske]

Chris is such a great dude! This is one of the best Rig Rundowns EVER!

[PaulWalker]

The story about Dave buying Chris some guitars when he joined Foo Fighters is heart warming, Great video!

[ResidentRob]

Chris to me is like Mike Campbell from the Heartbreakers, he's the guy behind the famous front person who adds all the cool textures that make the song special.

[Valeo]

Been waiting for this for years!! Now I'm hoping for Pat's someday!

[hsj]

I’m 40. Before YouTube these guitarists were like gods, and highly unattainable. It’s so good to see that they’re just the same as the man going about his daily work, albeit with exceptional musical talent. It makes the concept of learning and playing so much more accessible.

[Isdale]

Brought a tear to my eye when he started playing the outro of Aurora :( rest in peace Taylor

[leokimvideo]

With Chris having the Ace Frehley sticker on his Les Paul Custom is proof how one guitar legend always influences the next. Ace has influenced so many people to pick up the guitar. Kiss as a band has influenced endless other bands and musicians, especially during the 70's & 80's

[hsj]

What a genuine bloke, very down to earth. Exceptional guitar tones.

[madebydbm]

Used to work in radio and interviewed Chris a few times - one of the nicest guys to spend time with. Really down to earth and will enthusiastically talk bands and music for as long as you like. Great to see him here.

[jamiemcparland]

I remember seeing No Use for A Name at a Vans party where no one showed up. There were like 10 people sitting at tables and I was the only person standing in front of the stage watching. The guys were super cool and put on a great show for me.

[nicky]

I love that He and Pat seem to still love geeking out about gear. What a great episode!

[dshrute]

The level of guitar love and brotherhood in this band is so amazing. Pat giving Chris pickups, Dave buying Chris his first Foo-era guitars. Kids going to guitar stores and no one's nice to you, so true Chris! And that Chris Kies knew the pickup details and maker, so damn good. Guitar geeks who know their stuff and have such cred in so many ways. Thanks for another great RigRun.

[mattwatts]

Chris is one of those guitar players who never gets mentioned in conversation of great guitar players but deserves to be on that list. He’s an amazing guitarist.

[magicmanb]

The fact that this amazing man is still playing his Gibson guitars with broken headstocks is freaking awesome!

[Guitar]

Been hoping this rundown would happen for 10 years! So happy to see it happen! Wish I could add more than one "like". Hope they get the chance for Dave, Pat & Nate in the near future. Thanks PG!

[aldinewborn]

It's 2023 and I just knew that Chris Shiflett is a gunner LOL 🤣
Once a Gunner, always a Gunner #COYG

[zingleraster]

Fantastic rig rundown of the “Colour Guy”. Shifty is such a great guy. I also love the session he did with Fender Play. I love it when guys like Chris give back to the aspirational rock guitarist. A great sign of his character. Thank you!!

[marton]

Love how they are as cool as you would expect them to be. The foos have cemented themselves in legend.

[ferna]

Yes! This is the one I've been waiting for! Chris is definitely one of my favorite guitarists. Also a big fan of NUFAN! Very happy to hear references to it here.

[idlevandal]

His voice reminds me of Pete Thorn for some reason. Awesome rig rundown... 🏆