Chris Shiflett on The Guitar That Got Away | Shred with Shifty

This time on Shred With Shifty, Chris Shiflett steps out on his own. Shiflett starts up with a video montage of fan-submitted solo takes on leads from Charlie Starr, Rivers Cuomo, Mike McCready, and others. Some are more faithful than others, and Shifty celebrates the originality. “Learn it kinda, and then put your own twist on it,” he encourages. Next, he’s cued up clips from his sit-downs with Paisley, Starr, McCready, and one of his favorite guitarists, Jawbreaker’s Blake Schwarzenbach.

Then it’s time for a round of questions from the listeners. Fans probe Shifty about anything and everything: his favorite Van Halen deep cut, whether he still woodsheds scales, his opinion on modelers, and what makes him nervous during his biggest shows. When someone asks the secret to band-life longevity, Shiflett answers earnestly. “I always say the trick to being in a band isn’t always necessarily how you play whatever instrument it is,” he explains. “It’s how well can you sit in tight quarters with a bunch of other people and not annoy the fuck out of them.”

Later, he talks about why cowboy chords are actually his go-to “guitar-store lick,” and has a hilarious miscommunication with a listener asking if they should “top-wrap” their Les Paul. “What the fuck is top-wrapping a Les Paul?” Shifty responds incredulously. “I’m just gonna say no. Leave your Les Paul how it is.”

Be sure to stick around to hear about Shiflett’s worst onstage guitar-tone debacle. Hint: it happened during a late-night television performance with the Foos.

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Producer: Jason Shadrick
Executive Producers: Brady Sadler and Jake Brennan for Double Elvis
Engineering support by Matt Tahaney and Matt Beaudion
Video Editors: Dan Destefano and Addison Sauvan

[scottakam]

Good perspective on the amp vs. modeler debate. If you play guitar, wait 5 min and you'll hate whatever gear you have!

[zingleraster]

Thanks Chris. I love what you put back. I caught the Fooeys last week in Melbourne but could not make his band’s gig. Fantastic guy. Love him!!!!

[mikeg]

Saw you with No Use dude you’re the MAN!

[MidLifeProject]

Artist suggestion....I would love to hear a episode with Elliot Easton from the Cars. He would be a great guest to have on your excellent show.

[JoshSarwono]

Yep. There’s no use to just stick with one way. Explore and have fun!

[rdmm]

My guitar that got away (Copenhagen, 1987) was a '55 LP Custom, that *Les Paul* had gifted to Carlos Santana in the early 70's, with paperwork to prove that provenance. For a measly $3500. I still wonder were it went.

[Themonkeychunkspunk]

My main guitar is a 2017 Firebird studio- 495 pickups are FIERCE! - Stevie

[bigboss]

The guitar that got away from me is a fender custom shop telecasrer with a flamed roasted maple neck, i wish i bought it

[gregchapdelaine]

In my experience nothing can replace the live experience of hearing the sound of live amps on stage. The last time I saw A Perfect Circle who played everything through DI I decided that experience was not what I wanted or enjoyed and I won’t pay for it again. I want to hear the connection of the instrument to the powered speakers. If I can’t hear it it’s not good for me. Tool sets the standard and I need to hear the music played live through electrically amplified and distorted speakers. 0:22

[Todd_Roy]

Chris, what is up with the BC Rich I saw pics of you playing Live with the Foos? thanks

[JamesVandevanter]

Change, new stuff is scary, keeps things from stagnating though. Shreddin' rocks.

[Race-Bannon]

Shift,

Check Reverb there’s a gold non reversed Firebird listed.

[Earl]

Gibson CS would take care of you on that non-reverse gold Firebird!

[snapfinger]

lmao. “A Mr. Richard Fader from Fort Lee New Jersey writes in asking……”

[FuzzRatOD]

Guitar players especially need to let go of the "one size fits all " method of thinking regarding their gear ie real amps vs. modellers. It's all context dependent. One is not objectively better/worse than the other, they are only SUBJECTIVELY better/worse depending on the situation you are using/gigging with them.

[urbanrunoff]

i really appreciate you and think you are a really good guy, but Arsenal ? most frustrating football one can watch; a thousand passes into nothingness. I know you are a St Pauli guy, you just don't know it yet. ;)