Guns N' Roses' Slash, Duff McKagan & Richard Fortus Rig Rundown

In November at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, PG’s Rig Rundown team got the inside guided tour of the gear that’s melted a million faces. Richard Fortus and Slash’s and Duff’s longtime techs, Adam Day and Mike “Mcbob” Mayhue, tell all.

In 1987, Gibson enjoyed an enormous jump in sales when Guns N’ Roses released Appetite for Destruction. To show their appreciation, Gibson gave Slash this ’87 Les Paul Standard, the first of many endorsement guitars. This battered ’87 LP has been broken, burned, and abused since the first tour and remains one of Slash’s favorites.

Duff McKagan started out with a Japanese Fender Jazz special he bought with his record advance money. That bass, now stored safely at home, served as the model for the Fender Custom Shop Duff McKagan bass models. Duff tours with several of his Fender signature basses; the primary is a mid-2000s model

Richard Fortus tours with a large arsenal of guitars, too many to cover here, but let’s start with a few of his Gretsch guitars, including a Gretsch White Falcon and Black Falcon, both Players Edition models upgraded with Arcane pickups.

#guitar #gunsnroses #rigrundown #slash #gibson #guitarist #guitarplayer #bass #bassguitar #bassist

[Steve_]

Got to say I appreciate Richard taking the time to explain his rig himself. Seems like a really nice guy.

[takisloutca]

Richard Fortus is officially the coolest guy to ever be on a Rig Rundown.

[RoboRocker]

Richard is a total class act. No rockstar attitude BS. Just a straight shooter sharing his passion for music and performance. Way to go Rich!

[juliafloridausa]

00:24 Duff's rig
10:59 Slash's rig
34:44 Richard's rig

[elbik]

I wish all guitar players were as passionate about the gear as Richard Fortus... Man, i could listen to him talk for hours

[MrUltraworld]

Slash's tech is a very busy man. This guy goes through hell just to deliver a basic Les Paul into a Marshall tone. Slash doesn't even do any switching. I hope this guy's getting paid well.

[MrSonofagun]

I was lucky enough to meet Adam Day about 20 years ago when Slash was in town. He gave me a tour of all of Slash's guitars and amps. He gave me strings and picks. And I still have them all too. I didn't appreciate how nice it was for him to do that at the time. He was so cool to give me one of my best memories. Thanks Adam.

[anthonynonya]

I clicked for Slash, I stayed for He's so easy going and knowledgeable, and a great guitar collection also. I don't care how long it takes I would watch if they showed all of them.

[mattheweastel]

What a brilliant run down. It all kicks off with Richard Fortus at around 35mins. This guy is so involved in everything and has some amazing custom guitars

[McGuire]

Richard Fortus is such an awesome guy. He's such a great complement player to Slash, and he's one knowledgeable guy with gear.

[BreauxBobby]

Woe. Richard Fortus is really into his gear! Probably the best rig rundown I’ve ever seen. So passionate and determined to get the right sound. I don’t even care about Slash’s sound anymore after seeing this guy.

[laufonseca]

Richard Fortus is the man!! Great rig, PG.
Thank you.

[Theseasider]

Richard Fortus - nailed it! What genuine enthusiasm for his gear and his craft! Great rig run down of one of the greatest rock bands. Thanks to all who contributed- but especially Richard Fortus. You rock!!

[jeremy]

I can see why this guitar tech has been with Slash for 30 years... he’s a super competent and just a solid guy

[bifftop_johnny]

I absolutely LOVE Richard. He's such a great player with incredible energy. I was fortunate enough to catch these guys 3 times on their tour and he was an absolute joy to watch. I also love his passion and enthusiasm about his gear in this interview

[ReBeLhIpI]

Adam Day is a busy man changing strings every 8 songs, controlling amps and effects, being ready with a new guitar every song.
That dude is not sitting around.

[Newbyrock]

Richard Fortus is literally one of us. Its so great to hear a gear geek like him talk with John and just elaborate on the nuance of his rig.

[DavidHunterChunkyRiffs]

This is the best rig rundown you've ever done, and it's all thanks to Richard Fortus. What a great guy. Man, I'd sit and drink and talk guitar bullshit all day long with him. Brilliant stuff.

[waynetowers]

When Slash done his UK tour a few years ago, he had his usual Marshall cabs on stage, but, he had another 4x12 isolated off-stage which was rented out by John Henry's Ltd. which was on loan from Ashdown Engineering. On one tour, it was a UK made Ashdown (Hayden) Celestion V30 loaded 4x12, a little while later, Ashdown took it back and put it up for sale on Reverb as B-stock. I went and bought it. It's use by Slash was officially confirmed by Ashdown and John Henry's Ltd. Great buy. :)

[Juanpax.]

Richard was AWESOME!!! what a humble and nice guy (and a very "guitar geek" too)