I didn’t ask for them, but I was finishing up one of Duffs books when this was uploaded. (I just stumbled upon it) my point is, the cosmos requested that this happen specifically to me, you’re just along for the ride.
Duff's sound cut through the mix so perfectly with out being over the top. This guy is the reason I started playing bass 21 years ago, an absolute legend!
He said in an interview that he always hated the term cutting threw the mix. He always just tried to find his place in the mix. It changed the way I looked at playing bass forever.
@@HunnysPlaylists Where did you hear this? I have heard several rumours about AFD and the parts on it, especially surrounding Sweet Child: that Slash didn’t write or play the solo on it, that is was recorded with a Jackson, not a Les Paul, etc. would love to know more.
What's so brilliant about Duff, in my opinion, is that he has such a badass punk attitude in his playing, but at the same time he is very melodic and really dynamic and musically tasteful. He's like a mix of Dee Dee Ramone, Paul McCartney and Chris Squire or something.
You touched a lot on Duff's bass lines, but he is the master of the fill. There are songs where the only person doing any fills is Duff; no guitar, no drums, just bass fills. Not a lot of other bands that will say "Let the bass player cover all of our blank spaces."
Duff not only gets his A but this video makes me realize that I’ve done myself a disservice by neglecting rock bass. Bass has been my primary instrument for 5 years now, and I’ve immersed myself in jazz and funk/R&B but Duff has turned me on to rock bass !!! Thank you Ian and Scott !
I started playing bass 27 years ago because of Duff. He is a huge inspiration for me, as a musician and as a human being - I trully recomend his biography "It's so easy - and other lies". He is a bassis that delivers what the song needs in a very smart way. Thanks for this video
Duff truly was underrated back in the day, he’s getting his props nowadays, people are realizing what he added to find n roses. He was overshadowed by axl and slash, but people recognize nowadays. Good on him
I feel that way about Eric Avery in Jane’s Addiction. Their music without him seems to be missing some secret sauce (less melodic despite the bass’s rhythm role)
Duff is why I play a PJ. I always thought he played a PJ with no pickguard but now I know it's a Jazz Special. I got into GNR because of Terminator 2. I was 12 when it came out and GNR is one of the two bands that got me into playing.
Billy Sheehan made me want to pick up the bass. Duff McKagan made me want to play it. I had a chance to meet him while traveling in the early 90s. One of the nicest people, let alone celebrities, that I’ve ever met. A genuinely good guy. I’ll be a fan of all of his work for the rest of my life.
Finally a tribute to this great bassist, who has always been underestimated. Congratulations also on the initiative to help needy children. Here in Brazil, unfortunately, we have a lot. Greetings
What gets me about that is the first time I took time to learn it I realized it was just every single thing Gene Simmons would've done. It's an early KISS bassline for sure
I just like how it's one of those rare tunes that can have multiple instruments basically doing their own riffing on the intro at the same time and it works out way better than it does on paper...
Duff was the reason I started playing bass. Never really stuck with that genre of music but he inspired me to pick up an instrument as a teen. A conversation with someone while I looked into bass convinced me to begin on guitar as I wanted to write songs but found the path to bass not too long after.
3:30-4:00 on Rocket Queen is pure magic and perfection, the drums, guitars and bass are hitting this epic moment that few bands can attain. You can hear each instrument it's own space, but then they blend together to give the band just this killer groove and swagger of energy.
A video on any of them individually is probably too much to hope for, but maybe there could be a video called like, 'Godfathers of Modern Metal Bass' or something featuring Di Giorgio, Sean Malone (RIP), Alex Webster...
@@KyleS.1987 totally agreed. Honestly as a died-in-the-wool death metal guy, I wouldn't even want them to focus too much on extreme metal just because they have their own thing going, but holy smokes those OG death metal legends deserve some love.
DiGiorgio, being a hired gun as well as involved in several side projects, could easily do an hour video on him. He just chills out with his chickens in California somewhere, if you hit him up he might help you do it lol
I 100% agree! One of the best players and nicest guys ever. I was about 19 years old in 1999 and Steve and the guys from Testament walked into the restaurant I was in, started talking with me and my old band guys, then they sat down and had pizza with us. Steve sat next to me. I was blown away at how cool he was.
I have been teaching Sweet Child. And its really not as easy as people imagine. He has great timing and feel and he slung his bass low, which makes it even more impressive!
I learned to play Sweet Child when I was doing my bass lessons, and I can agree it is not as easy as it first seems! Each repetition is slightly different from the last, and the different sections to think about, but so good to play when you get it.
There's something bout the intro that is hard to articulate quite how duff plays it,everytime in a covers band I play it I'm never happy while it's super fun to play I just don't sell it the same
Listened Duff live last year during their Guns N' Roses - Europe 2023 tour, and man, we is still rocking. The riffs, the melodies, the attitude. He's a great bassist, musician and showman.
Completely brings back childhood memories with these albums. Appetite was basically my 7th grade anthem, and then in high school the Illusion albums totally blew me away for those years never getting tired of them over and over.
Played bass 25 years ago in a band in front of like 50,000 people….haven’t really touched one for well over a decade. Sold my last one….so tempted to get another and get back into it after watching videos like this. Duff wrote killer bass lines!
I was 12 years old up late watching good rockin tonight when all of a sudden i seen this guy with hair covering his face wearing a tophat being interviewed. After that the video for welcome to the jungle came on. I was blown away and hooked on rock n roll ever since. I'm almost 50 now. I see the nostalgia in you guys and i appreciate that. I am going to hit that subscribe button right now. Also i play bass too 🤘🤘
Scott and Ian are the best!! As a bass player, the best thing I ever did was become a member of SBL. I learn so much about music, theory, equipment. Everything about bass. It is my obsession and I have found some place that others share that passion. They are always introducing me to new topics, old songs that have interesting bass features I may have never discovered (Sledgehammer), reinforcing my knowledge of bass and so much more. Thank you 4ever SBL!!!
YES! THANK YOU! I never paid close attention to Duff when I was a guitarist - because Slash, obviously - but when I migrated to bass and started REALLY listening to what was going on, oh man, his lines are awesome. And that wonderful 'chime' tone he gets, or his muted tones.....maaaaan. Snobs hate me for this, but I LOVE Duff McKagan's playing.
Watching this reminds me and makes me so happy to be a part of the SBL bass community. Thanks so much guys for all the research ❤ and duff is a definite A.
I learned most of my bass fundamentals from Appetite. Learning by ear all of Duff's parts was what helped me most back when I started. I love that you guys gave him proper kudos.
I remember learning Duff’s bass lines back to back when I was starting to learn bass back in he day. The bass riffs and fills on appetite are great. There’s always cool little fills going on in there that you can take and apply pretty much anywhere. It’s simple but effective.
@@shawnhuff3920 they probably got a bad rap with the image and video. Uncle Tom's cabin was pretty cool. The most legit 'hair bands' of the time were gnr, tesla, and maybe Cinderella. Just my opinion of course
@@mikemurray3962 ove course... I like warrant. And RAT. Cinderella and G.N.R and Metallica and mottley.crew up until Dr. Feel good 👍 and the gogo's. And bangles. And. Roxette. And poison. And white zombie . Pantera
In ‘86….Duff’s bass sound was sooooo refreshing…after mashing to Mr Steve Harris for years(still joyful) the tone and style of Duff reenergized my bad playing . The first lp is the first record that I learned all the songs… Sweet Child was the first one because i could tell he was also a guitar player. Love him!
Duff was the bass player along with Steve Harris and Brian Wheat from Tesla that formed the foundation for how I play bass even today. Obviously after 30+ years there have been many more but those guys were my start. Great Vid!
Love his bass sounds from Appetite for Destruction and Use Your Illusions I & II. Those albums were my childhood. My mom had the best albums for me to get into and listen.
Duff is amazing, what a bassist, my God... when I was a kid, I always thought that due to where he came from and his punk influences, all these arrangements like the intro of Sweet Child had been created together with producers. Over time I realized that Duff DIDN'T NEED ANYONE TO TELL HIM WHAT NOTE TO PLAY, HE ALWAYS HAD SOME OF THE BEST MELODIC IDEAS FOR COMPOSING WITHOUT A DOUBT. THANKS FOR THE VIDEO!
Duff McKagan is the single greatest influence on my play style; "Jungle" is the first thing I learned, and when I got married, "Sweet Child O'Mine" was our wedding dance song. This video was SUCH a treat. His tone, melodic style, fills, and unique compositions have always made him instantly recognizable. The very first time I heard "Slither" from Velvet Revolver, I said, "That's Duff McKagan! GOTTA be!" You can't miss it.
Thanks for this. “Appetite” really opened my ears to great bass and drum fills. For a good 6-7 months, I’d get home from school, played along to “Appetite” almost EVERYDAY. Great memories. Finally bought a ‘87 Jazz Bass Special a few years ago. Killer bass.
Been learning “out ta get me” on guitar and this came through my feed. Duff was a beast on bass and kept em so groovy! I was a toddler when this came out but it defined my love of heavier music early!
Melodic play with chorus effect sums up Duff, and it’s fantastic. I always thought he was underrated by the critics. But if you listen with an attentive ear and try to play some of his stuff, you get an all new appreciation for his bass playing.
I was 25 and fortunate enough to see Guns N' Rose's when they opened up for The Cult before anyone really knew who they were. The whole band was tight and fire. Each member had their own distinct sound even as they blended so well together. When their debut album came out a couple of months later, I bought five copies, gave three as gifts, and kept two. The only two albums I've ever played nonstop for extended periods have been the Van Halen and GNR debut albums.
Thanks guys, great delivery as always ! I know what you're saying about G&R's sound being on the edge (ie: sounding dangerous) yet totally rock'n'roll cool. This video certainly gives me better appreciation of Duff's playing !
Duff, the guy who got me playing bass as a 6th grader. GnR was the most badass band to ever exist in my opinion. Appetite is the #1 rock album of all time for the reasons you list in the video. Thanks, guys! Oh and read his autobiography! Very interesting.
I love that you you give props to bassists from all genres. Duff is soooooo underrated. I never saw GnR, but I learned how good he is when I saw Velvet Revolver. People would never put words like "sneaky" (yours) or "subtle (mine) on a player like Duff, but it's there, isn't it?
Duff sweet child line is really so beautiful... I really think it's the subliminal emotion needed... What I loved about guns was they were really doing what new wave was doing and emphasizing the bass sound.
I remember , at least in EU, we had Bon Jovi, Poison, a lot of one hit wonders and pop music. So perfectly thought out to the hair color. Older peeps had Aerosmith and ACDC but it somehow felt old. And along came this guys that looked like they just woken up in an alley after a night out. A reincarnation of the Stones, and we started listening to them as such. I have never even played base guitar but I thoroughly enjoyed this video, thank you. 🙂
I had just gotten my first bass in 1988, and was trying to get the feel of what to do with it. Some fruends and I were watching MTV, and the video for Sweet Child O Mine came on, and I heard Duff Kagans solo at the BEGINNING of the song, and something clicked in my brain. All of a sudden, bass made sense, and it has ever since.
I have a 1987 jazz bass special bronze, which got a green-ish glow now due to ageing. Got it for cheap as the 5th owner, since one of the previous owners put a humbucker pickup at the neck. Got the humbucker removed and a black pickguard placed over the hole. Looks amazing together with the black neck and hardware! My second bass ever and I think I'm keeping it for life.
Thank you. It's about time someone paid tribute to those genius basslines that made Appetite the album great. Absolutely funky, simple yet so crisp and rocking. It takes one to know one 👏👏👏👏👏
Oh yeah. love this video. The format was killer. Loved that, hearing about the type of gear, how it was played and the insights and history to Duff. Be great to see a series of other videos where you guys gear up and tee up the styles and histories of other rockers. Thanks for all the great content you guys create on this channel.
They only have so much time in these videos but in terms of gear that should have spent more time on the 800 RB🎉 and how it contributes to duff's tone. That is an iconic bass amp and it has a unique ability to ride the edge of performance where the amp begins to distort. It's built to ride that edge to deliver that sound and is known as "riding the rails" as they put it. All bassists should research the 800 RB as well as the 400 rb, in fact the entire RB series.
Yessss, finally some recognition for Duff! In my mind Duff's sound is the paradigm of what rock bass with a pick should sound like. Thanks for the video!
Mckagan is my favorite bass player other than Geddy. A note about his sound is that his chorus isn’t always on but comes on during stuff that needs emphasis. I saw him live and he was a stellar musician with an amazing stage presence and a surprising amount of low end in his tone compared to the records.
Duff McKagen and Mike Roche (T.S.O.L) were two of my earliest influences on bass. The tone, the riffs, everything sounded so mean and full of attitude. Thank you for this video 🙏🏻🤍
I listened to Appetite from around 88 onwards and despite that record staying stuck to my player it wasn't until I listened to a full playthrough a couple of years ago that I was utterly blown away by Duff's bass licks. I always thought he was so f'in cool but my respect has gone through the roof. 100% an A.
The second I first pressed play on Use Your Illusion 1, I knew we were in good hands with the mighty Duff McKagan. He's GnR's Prince... He can play every instrument (and he later demonstrated this on "You Can't Put Your Hands Around a Memory"), he was a good writer and like he said himself on the UYI 1 and 2 videos, he considered himself to be the conductor of the band. GnR was definitely a sum of it's parts. Steven had the groove, Izzy had the swagger, Slash had the soul, Axl had the attitude and charisma... And Duff? He had all of the above as well as the smarts.
I've always loved Duff's playing, dude definitely has so many killer riffs under his best that are just so much fun to play and is definitely one of the best rock/metal bassists of his era. Absolutely fucking killer player
Okay, this video did it to me, I became a subscriber - having watched dozens of your videos already. Appetite for Destruction was released the year I turned six. I got the album as a birthday gift when I turned 7 if I remember correct - and no, that didn't happen by chance: I remember having made it very clear to my parents that I needed to have an album by this new interesting band I had seen on TV. It was the vinyl version with the original, soon-to-be-censored cover of course. It didn't take long to realize that I was determined to become a musician after giving some spins on that vinyl. Today I play the guitar for a living (both gigs and session work) as well as run my own studio. At times I also teach guitar, do some transcription work and try also to be a husband and a father. In a way I could say now as someone soon to be 43 that Guns n' Roses for a major part made me who I am today. I've always admired Duff's melodic basslines and his sense of style and sound - and over the years I've learned to appreciate his role on those albums more and more. Guns n' Roses would definitely not sound the same without Duff's invaluable contribution. Since I do quite a bit of studio work and at times get to play some bass as well, I have acquired a couple of "workhorse" basses that can take me through pretty much all of my low end needs: a Japanese ESP Vintage Four (a very stable, reliable and lightweight PJ bass that I use 99% of the time as a P bass) and an original Höfner 500/1 Violin bass from 1967, because ... you guessed it, Paul McCartney. Thank you Scott for this excellent channel and have yourself a good one - all the best from Finland!
I remember being 12 yrs old in the summer of '87 and getting the Appetite for Destruction cassette and thinking this is so amazing. Duff is definitely an icon
When I first heard Appetite for Destruction in the summer of 1987 it absolutely blew my mind. I remember being so tired of the non existent/muddy bass sounds of the like of MC and other hair bands of the day. GnR was such a breath of fresh air, real RnF'nR was back! Great video guys!
I obsessed over Appetite for Destruction as a kid in the 80s. Mostly at the time it was Steven's drumming, but Duff was definitely someone I understood and how important he was to the rhythm section. 34 years ago when I picked up bass at 13 I wanted to learn Paradise City (that's a groove that can't go unnoticed), Sweet Child and Mr. Brownstone. It took a while since I suck at reading music, but eventually learned them just by listening. While I am more Cliff Burton and classic Steve Harris style player (fingers vs. pick), Duff is one bassist whom is in my influential library, and I do think in a why his style melds into the metal world I also obsessed about nicely.
Hello, I am a guitarist and the rock band that made me a musician was Guns and Rose, and the first song I played with a bass was Duff Mc Kagan, very nice video, greetings from Argentina
YES!! Sweet Child of Mine is rightfully recognized as a guitar riff masterpiece, but I've always felt that Duff's bass work is just as important to the song. I love playing both the riff and the baseline on the piano as individual pieces. I'd LOVE to find a cut of just the baseline from SCOM.
Guys thanks again for doing this one!!! Why my #1 instrument is a PJ, why I always have a chorus on my pedal board, why I love using picks? Duff means a lot to me. He's in the top 3 of my bass heroes. An absolute genius!!!
This what I love about what you guys are doing. When these albums were released in the 80's, Duffs name was no where to be seen in the "Bass Player" type magazines. Do you think millions of people world wide are still listening to Stu Hamm tapping on his kubiki factor... (no disrespect Stu). We all wish we had tone and riffs like that recorded where generations are still listening and rocking to!
Couldn’t do better than starting with Rocket Queen - what a banger! Love GnR and Duff was one of my formative influences on bass - I bought the tab book for Appetite in my first few months of playing. The songwriting, arrangements, playing and sounds are just perfect on that album.
The Jazz Special was my first bass and I got it in 1985 just before my 15th birthday. I was working 2 hours a night after school for £1 an hour and 75% of my earnings went into that bass. I bought it from McCormacks Music shop in Glasgow (Sadly no longer there) on credit and paid it back at around £30 a month, that shop was supposedly where Jack Bruce bought his first bass from.. My Jazz Special was in Pewter with a black neck.
![Duff McKagan: Decoded [Punk-King Of The Bass Melody]](/img/1.gif)
A video no one asked for, but everyone is very happy about. Duffs chromatic riffs are some of my favorite vibes ever
BASSED
I asked for it
tony franklin wrote the lines.
He is one of my top 5 favorite bassists
I didn’t ask for them, but I was finishing up one of Duffs books when this was uploaded. (I just stumbled upon it) my point is, the cosmos requested that this happen specifically to me, you’re just along for the ride.
Duff's sound cut through the mix so perfectly with out being over the top. This guy is the reason I started playing bass 21 years ago, an absolute legend!
*tony franklin.
He said in an interview that he always hated the term cutting threw the mix. He always just tried to find his place in the mix. It changed the way I looked at playing bass forever.
@@315hfd but Tony Franklin is the one who recorded his lines.
@@HunnysPlaylists Where did you hear this? I have heard several rumours about AFD and the parts on it, especially surrounding Sweet Child: that Slash didn’t write or play the solo on it, that is was recorded with a Jackson, not a Les Paul, etc. would love to know more.
@@MrDc1296 From the people themselves. Almost all big songs were studio musician only.
What's so brilliant about Duff, in my opinion, is that he has such a badass punk attitude in his playing, but at the same time he is very melodic and really dynamic and musically tasteful. He's like a mix of Dee Dee Ramone, Paul McCartney and Chris Squire or something.
You touched a lot on Duff's bass lines, but he is the master of the fill. There are songs where the only person doing any fills is Duff; no guitar, no drums, just bass fills. Not a lot of other bands that will say "Let the bass player cover all of our blank spaces."
Duff not only gets his A but this video makes me realize that I’ve done myself a disservice by neglecting rock bass. Bass has been my primary instrument for 5 years now, and I’ve immersed myself in jazz and funk/R&B but Duff has turned me on to rock bass !!! Thank you Ian and Scott !
Only right to do, bass brother 😁
I started playing bass 27 years ago because of Duff. He is a huge inspiration for me, as a musician and as a human being - I trully recomend his biography "It's so easy - and other lies". He is a bassis that delivers what the song needs in a very smart way. Thanks for this video
Me too!!!
The outro bass lick from Mr. Brownstone is always a classic Duff moment
Mr Brownstone is probably my favorite G&R song
Or the outro to rocket queen
@@RichieW90210 that's my favorite GN'R song and I couldn't agree more 🔥
Please tell me this is only part 1 of a Duff series, because you’ve left so much aside! Great vid guys
Duff truly was underrated back in the day, he’s getting his props nowadays, people are realizing what he added to find n roses. He was overshadowed by axl and slash, but people recognize nowadays. Good on him
I feel that way about Eric Avery in Jane’s Addiction. Their music without him seems to be missing some secret sauce (less melodic despite the bass’s rhythm role)
We bass guitarists noticed immediately that there was something very cool going on in the bass lines, and we dug it...and still do 😁
Duff has such an instantly recognizable tone. He's one of the reasons that I started playing chords on bass.
It took me a long time to realize that Duff Mckagan is my biggest influence in bass playing. He is insane !
And this Fender Jazz Bass Special is my dream Bass forever
He’s a legend
🔥🔥🔥
Duff is good but he is no Justin Chancellor 🏆
he is insane?...... he the only bassist you know?
Duff is why I play a PJ. I always thought he played a PJ with no pickguard but now I know it's a Jazz Special. I got into GNR because of Terminator 2. I was 12 when it came out and GNR is one of the two bands that got me into playing.
Billy Sheehan made me want to pick up the bass. Duff McKagan made me want to play it.
I had a chance to meet him while traveling in the early 90s. One of the nicest people, let alone celebrities, that I’ve ever met.
A genuinely good guy. I’ll be a fan of all of his work for the rest of my life.
Finally a tribute to this great bassist, who has always been underestimated.
Congratulations also on the initiative to help needy children. Here in Brazil, unfortunately, we have a lot.
Greetings
Sweet Child is a masterclass in how to use chord tones and scales within a rock bass line, glad it's getting the praise it deserves.
What gets me about that is the first time I took time to learn it I realized it was just every single thing Gene Simmons would've done. It's an early KISS bassline for sure
I just like how it's one of those rare tunes that can have multiple instruments basically doing their own riffing on the intro at the same time and it works out way better than it does on paper...
I find it annoying
Famous session player tony franklin did it, not duff.
word man🔥
Duff was the reason I started playing bass. Never really stuck with that genre of music but he inspired me to pick up an instrument as a teen. A conversation with someone while I looked into bass convinced me to begin on guitar as I wanted to write songs but found the path to bass not too long after.
3:30-4:00 on Rocket Queen is pure magic and perfection, the drums, guitars and bass are hitting this epic moment that few bands can attain. You can hear each instrument it's own space, but then they blend together to give the band just this killer groove and swagger of energy.
Steve DiGiorgio video about his time in Death when? We need it :)
Dude we need a DiGiorgio vid so bad, and we need a big spotlight on Sean Malone of Cynic as well!
A video on any of them individually is probably too much to hope for, but maybe there could be a video called like, 'Godfathers of Modern Metal Bass' or something featuring Di Giorgio, Sean Malone (RIP), Alex Webster...
@@KyleS.1987 totally agreed. Honestly as a died-in-the-wool death metal guy, I wouldn't even want them to focus too much on extreme metal just because they have their own thing going, but holy smokes those OG death metal legends deserve some love.
DiGiorgio, being a hired gun as well as involved in several side projects, could easily do an hour video on him.
He just chills out with his chickens in California somewhere, if you hit him up he might help you do it lol
I 100% agree! One of the best players and nicest guys ever. I was about 19 years old in 1999 and Steve and the guys from Testament walked into the restaurant I was in, started talking with me and my old band guys, then they sat down and had pizza with us. Steve sat next to me. I was blown away at how cool he was.
Duff always deserves more love!
"Believe in me" was an awesome solo album that very few people seemed to hear.
I love "Believe in me" more than Duff does.
I have been teaching Sweet Child. And its really not as easy as people imagine. He has great timing and feel and he slung his bass low, which makes it even more impressive!
I learned to play Sweet Child when I was doing my bass lessons, and I can agree it is not as easy as it first seems! Each repetition is slightly different from the last, and the different sections to think about, but so good to play when you get it.
There's something bout the intro that is hard to articulate quite how duff plays it,everytime in a covers band I play it I'm never happy while it's super fun to play I just don't sell it the same
@@hadenbaillie1833I thought it was just me! It's like I can play but I always feel like it's not quite right lol
I was lucky enough to be at their first London gig, in 1987, at the Marquee club!
Listened Duff live last year during their Guns N' Roses - Europe 2023 tour, and man, we is still rocking. The riffs, the melodies, the attitude. He's a great bassist, musician and showman.
Completely brings back childhood memories with these albums. Appetite was basically my 7th grade anthem, and then in high school the Illusion albums totally blew me away for those years never getting tired of them over and over.
11 grade for me.
I am a guitarist, but I did play bass in a Guns n Roses tribute, and it gave me a new respect for Duff! Duff is amazing!
Played bass 25 years ago in a band in front of like 50,000 people….haven’t really touched one for well over a decade. Sold my last one….so tempted to get another and get back into it after watching videos like this. Duff wrote killer bass lines!
Come on...a guy that plays to 50k people always keep one bass at hand. Go get your new P Bass! Now ! 😂
Do it!!
@@devinebass I will! Thanks 👍
@@HF1600ie I’m probably more of J bass guy 😜
Go do it. Live it again. Make RUclips channel and share your journey. Inspire others.
I was 12 years old up late watching good rockin tonight when all of a sudden i seen this guy with hair covering his face wearing a tophat being interviewed. After that the video for welcome to the jungle came on. I was blown away and hooked on rock n roll ever since. I'm almost 50 now. I see the nostalgia in you guys and i appreciate that. I am going to hit that subscribe button right now. Also i play bass too 🤘🤘
Locomotive is my honorable mention. That intro and riff make me want to run a marathon every time
Definitely.
Locomotive is such a killer song 🔥
@@blacklion401especially the “complicity” outro
I play guitar in a Gn'R tribute band, and can confirm that Locomotive is an absolute pig to play live, but great fun
damn that’s right💯
Scott and Ian are the best!! As a bass player, the best thing I ever did was become a member of SBL. I learn so much about music, theory, equipment. Everything about bass. It is my obsession and I have found some place that others share that passion. They are always introducing me to new topics, old songs that have interesting bass features I may have never discovered (Sledgehammer), reinforcing my knowledge of bass and so much more. Thank you 4ever SBL!!!
Ahhh thanks so much for the warm words!! 🧡🧡🧡
Could they play in Anthrax if they came as a duo?
Krist Novoselic needs his own video
Yes I wasn’t a huge fan but I loved his playing.
Perhaps a grunge/90’s rock bass feature like Krist, Ben Shepherd, Robert DeLeo etc…
We really should at some point!
Nah
Yeah
“Double Talkin’ Jive” off Illusion 1 is a certified banger.
Duff was the guy who first got me interested in playing bass. It was his 'solo' on the "Live in Tokyo 1992" VHS that I got hooked.
Thank you guys!!! I thought that I was the only one who loves Duff´s bass lines and sound, made my day!!!
YES! THANK YOU! I never paid close attention to Duff when I was a guitarist - because Slash, obviously - but when I migrated to bass and started REALLY listening to what was going on, oh man, his lines are awesome. And that wonderful 'chime' tone he gets, or his muted tones.....maaaaan. Snobs hate me for this, but I LOVE Duff McKagan's playing.
Duff's bass sound and his playing gives me chills. It's a very iconic sound
Was also a drummer in a punk band The FARTZ 1982-83.
Watching this reminds me and makes me so happy to be a part of the SBL bass community. Thanks so much guys for all the research ❤ and duff is a definite A.
🧡🧡🧡
I learned most of my bass fundamentals from Appetite. Learning by ear all of Duff's parts was what helped me most back when I started. I love that you guys gave him proper kudos.
🔥🔥🔥
you guys are always so happy; I can't help but grin along with you
cheers
I remember learning Duff’s bass lines back to back when I was starting to learn bass back in he day. The bass riffs and fills on appetite are great. There’s always cool little fills going on in there that you can take and apply pretty much anywhere. It’s simple but effective.
Yes I remember 😊 ..I'm 50 years old I was born in April 1974 and I got into G.N.R. in 87 appetite for destruction is my favorite G.N.R album 😊
'73 here. Appetite is probably on my top 5 albums of all time. I'd also put back in black and master of puppets in there.
@@mikemurray3962 what about warrant cherry 🍒pie
@@shawnhuff3920 they probably got a bad rap with the image and video. Uncle Tom's cabin was pretty cool. The most legit 'hair bands' of the time were gnr, tesla, and maybe Cinderella. Just my opinion of course
@@mikemurray3962 ove course... I like warrant. And RAT. Cinderella and G.N.R and Metallica and mottley.crew up until Dr. Feel good 👍 and the gogo's. And bangles. And. Roxette. And poison. And white zombie . Pantera
Legend. His bass lines are the sickest and most iconic
In ‘86….Duff’s bass sound was sooooo refreshing…after mashing to Mr Steve Harris for years(still joyful) the tone and style of Duff reenergized my bad playing .
The first lp is the first record that I learned all the songs…
Sweet Child was the first one because i could tell he was also a guitar player. Love him!
Duff was the bass player along with Steve Harris and Brian Wheat from Tesla that formed the foundation for how I play bass even today. Obviously after 30+ years there have been many more but those guys were my start.
Great Vid!
That's a great trio of influences there!!
Both Scott and Ian sat with PJs with smiles on their faces... has hell frozen over??
Love his bass sounds from Appetite for Destruction and Use Your Illusions I & II. Those albums were my childhood. My mom had the best albums for me to get into and listen.
That green PJ bass looks incredible... I want one...
Duff is amazing, what a bassist, my God... when I was a kid, I always thought that due to where he came from and his punk influences, all these arrangements like the intro of Sweet Child had been created together with producers. Over time I realized that Duff DIDN'T NEED ANYONE TO TELL HIM WHAT NOTE TO PLAY, HE ALWAYS HAD SOME OF THE BEST MELODIC IDEAS FOR COMPOSING WITHOUT A DOUBT. THANKS FOR THE VIDEO!
Ian giving up that 85 is nuts. That’s been on the screen since he started at SBL, sad day for us great day for 1 lucky winner.
Wow, this is awesome! And yes, Appetite and both Use Your Illusion albums are album you definitely should own.
Axl and Slash get all the accolades but Izzy, Duff and Adler made GnR special…
Duff McKagan is the single greatest influence on my play style; "Jungle" is the first thing I learned, and when I got married, "Sweet Child O'Mine" was our wedding dance song. This video was SUCH a treat. His tone, melodic style, fills, and unique compositions have always made him instantly recognizable. The very first time I heard "Slither" from Velvet Revolver, I said, "That's Duff McKagan! GOTTA be!" You can't miss it.
Excuse me Mr. Allison where is the Charmander?
Did a Dark Side of the Moon cover gig and afterwards Duff came up to me to say we rocked it! Awesome and humble guy!
Duff is so good they named a beer after him
Hey!! Im a drummer since 1988 and I get so much from this channel ..love it
Duff is his own vibe entirely.
So good.
Great video.
I love the pure joy you guys still get from your instrument you have probably been playing a few dozen yrs and it's as enjoyable as ever
No Locomotive? No Coma? You get the guitar riffs that he doubles on bass... You could have done better homage to him.
Double Talkin Jive is another jewel from Duff. Such a great video and so deserved by an amazing artist!
Thanks for this. “Appetite” really opened my ears to great bass and drum fills. For a good 6-7 months, I’d get home from school, played along to “Appetite” almost EVERYDAY. Great memories. Finally bought a ‘87 Jazz Bass Special a few years ago. Killer bass.
🧡🧡🧡
Been learning “out ta get me” on guitar and this came through my feed. Duff was a beast on bass and kept em so groovy!
I was a toddler when this came out but it defined my love of heavier music early!
Melodic play with chorus effect sums up Duff, and it’s fantastic. I always thought he was underrated by the critics. But if you listen with an attentive ear and try to play some of his stuff, you get an all new appreciation for his bass playing.
I was 25 and fortunate enough to see Guns N' Rose's when they opened up for The Cult before anyone really knew who they were. The whole band was tight and fire. Each member had their own distinct sound even as they blended so well together. When their debut album came out a couple of months later, I bought five copies, gave three as gifts, and kept two. The only two albums I've ever played nonstop for extended periods have been the Van Halen and GNR debut albums.
I have been watching your videos for a few weeks now and you guys make me want to learn how to play the bass!! 🎸🎸🎸
The energy and laughter of your videos always make me smile, and even laugh out loud along with you guys!!
Thanks guys, great delivery as always ! I know what you're saying about G&R's sound being on the edge (ie: sounding dangerous) yet totally rock'n'roll cool. This video certainly gives me better appreciation of Duff's playing !
Duff, the guy who got me playing bass as a 6th grader. GnR was the most badass band to ever exist in my opinion. Appetite is the #1 rock album of all time for the reasons you list in the video. Thanks, guys! Oh and read his autobiography! Very interesting.
Oh and only a bass player would be practical enough to go back to college and make some fuckin real money! 😊
I love that you you give props to bassists from all genres. Duff is soooooo underrated. I never saw GnR, but I learned how good he is when I saw Velvet Revolver. People would never put words like "sneaky" (yours) or "subtle (mine) on a player like Duff, but it's there, isn't it?
Duff’s autobiography is a fantastic read. I highly recommend it.
You guys nailed it. Great video. Thank you.
Cheers!
Duff sweet child line is really so beautiful... I really think it's the subliminal emotion needed... What I loved about guns was they were really doing what new wave was doing and emphasizing the bass sound.
I remember , at least in EU, we had Bon Jovi, Poison, a lot of one hit wonders and pop music. So perfectly thought out to the hair color. Older peeps had Aerosmith and ACDC but it somehow felt old. And along came this guys that looked like they just woken up in an alley after a night out. A reincarnation of the Stones, and we started listening to them as such. I have never even played base guitar but I thoroughly enjoyed this video, thank you. 🙂
I had just gotten my first bass in 1988, and was trying to get the feel of what to do with it. Some fruends and I were watching MTV, and the video for Sweet Child O Mine came on, and I heard Duff Kagans solo at the BEGINNING of the song, and something clicked in my brain. All of a sudden, bass made sense, and it has ever since.
🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻
I have a 1987 jazz bass special bronze, which got a green-ish glow now due to ageing. Got it for cheap as the 5th owner, since one of the previous owners put a humbucker pickup at the neck. Got the humbucker removed and a black pickguard placed over the hole. Looks amazing together with the black neck and hardware! My second bass ever and I think I'm keeping it for life.
Thank you. It's about time someone paid tribute to those genius basslines that made Appetite the album great. Absolutely funky, simple yet so crisp and rocking. It takes one to know one 👏👏👏👏👏
Oh yeah. love this video. The format was killer. Loved that, hearing about the type of gear, how it was played and the insights and history to Duff. Be great to see a series of other videos where you guys gear up and tee up the styles and histories of other rockers. Thanks for all the great content you guys create on this channel.
They only have so much time in these videos but in terms of gear that should have spent more time on the 800 RB🎉 and how it contributes to duff's tone. That is an iconic bass amp and it has a unique ability to ride the edge of performance where the amp begins to distort. It's built to ride that edge to deliver that sound and is known as "riding the rails" as they put it. All bassists should research the 800 RB as well as the 400 rb, in fact the entire RB series.
Duff is beyond brilliant.
Spinning this record with a good hifi setup and his basslines Scream and are SO WELL PLACED.
Thanks for this video.
Don’t forget about his RotoSound round wound strings!
Yessss, finally some recognition for Duff!
In my mind Duff's sound is the paradigm of what rock bass with a pick should sound like. Thanks for the video!
Cheers, glad you've enjoyed it!
Mckagan is my favorite bass player other than Geddy. A note about his sound is that his chorus isn’t always on but comes on during stuff that needs emphasis. I saw him live and he was a stellar musician with an amazing stage presence and a surprising amount of low end in his tone compared to the records.
I just got a squire affinity pj as my first “real bass” freaking love it
Duff McKagen and Mike Roche (T.S.O.L) were two of my earliest influences on bass. The tone, the riffs, everything sounded so mean and full of attitude.
Thank you for this video 🙏🏻🤍
Thank you SBL! Duff's my childhood bassin' hero, and a big reason I'm a bass player to this day
I listened to Appetite from around 88 onwards and despite that record staying stuck to my player it wasn't until I listened to a full playthrough a couple of years ago that I was utterly blown away by Duff's bass licks. I always thought he was so f'in cool but my respect has gone through the roof. 100% an A.
I met him a few times near Seattle when he was going to University Of Washington, he'd play a local bar with loaded. Very nice guy and apporachable.
We need Duff on!! How has this not happened yet Devine?!? Lol I absolutely love these videos guys! And SBL team!!
We would absolutely LOVE to have Duff on the channel!!
The second I first pressed play on Use Your Illusion 1, I knew we were in good hands with the mighty Duff McKagan. He's GnR's Prince... He can play every instrument (and he later demonstrated this on "You Can't Put Your Hands Around a Memory"), he was a good writer and like he said himself on the UYI 1 and 2 videos, he considered himself to be the conductor of the band. GnR was definitely a sum of it's parts. Steven had the groove, Izzy had the swagger, Slash had the soul, Axl had the attitude and charisma... And Duff? He had all of the above as well as the smarts.
I've always loved Duff's playing, dude definitely has so many killer riffs under his best that are just so much fun to play and is definitely one of the best rock/metal bassists of his era. Absolutely fucking killer player
I think people forget about songs that are just fun to play as their abilities improve.
@@negativeindustrial Exactly
🔥🔥🔥
Okay, this video did it to me, I became a subscriber - having watched dozens of your videos already. Appetite for Destruction was released the year I turned six. I got the album as a birthday gift when I turned 7 if I remember correct - and no, that didn't happen by chance: I remember having made it very clear to my parents that I needed to have an album by this new interesting band I had seen on TV. It was the vinyl version with the original, soon-to-be-censored cover of course. It didn't take long to realize that I was determined to become a musician after giving some spins on that vinyl. Today I play the guitar for a living (both gigs and session work) as well as run my own studio. At times I also teach guitar, do some transcription work and try also to be a husband and a father.
In a way I could say now as someone soon to be 43 that Guns n' Roses for a major part made me who I am today. I've always admired Duff's melodic basslines and his sense of style and sound - and over the years I've learned to appreciate his role on those albums more and more. Guns n' Roses would definitely not sound the same without Duff's invaluable contribution. Since I do quite a bit of studio work and at times get to play some bass as well, I have acquired a couple of "workhorse" basses that can take me through pretty much all of my low end needs: a Japanese ESP Vintage Four (a very stable, reliable and lightweight PJ bass that I use 99% of the time as a P bass) and an original Höfner 500/1 Violin bass from 1967, because ... you guessed it, Paul McCartney.
Thank you Scott for this excellent channel and have yourself a good one - all the best from Finland!
I remember being 12 yrs old in the summer of '87 and getting the Appetite for Destruction cassette and thinking this is so amazing. Duff is definitely an icon
Everybody loves Duff never heard anyone have a bad word about him. great dude!!
When I first heard Appetite for Destruction in the summer of 1987 it absolutely blew my mind. I remember being so tired of the non existent/muddy bass sounds of the like of MC and other hair bands of the day. GnR was such a breath of fresh air, real RnF'nR was back! Great video guys!
I obsessed over Appetite for Destruction as a kid in the 80s. Mostly at the time it was Steven's drumming, but Duff was definitely someone I understood and how important he was to the rhythm section. 34 years ago when I picked up bass at 13 I wanted to learn Paradise City (that's a groove that can't go unnoticed), Sweet Child and Mr. Brownstone. It took a while since I suck at reading music, but eventually learned them just by listening. While I am more Cliff Burton and classic Steve Harris style player (fingers vs. pick), Duff is one bassist whom is in my influential library, and I do think in a why his style melds into the metal world I also obsessed about nicely.
Hello, I am a guitarist and the rock band that made me a musician was Guns and Rose, and the first song I played with a bass was Duff Mc Kagan, very nice video, greetings from Argentina
Guns and Rose?
Duff Mc Kagan? And is he (Duff McKagan) a song?
YES!! Sweet Child of Mine is rightfully recognized as a guitar riff masterpiece, but I've always felt that Duff's bass work is just as important to the song. I love playing both the riff and the baseline on the piano as individual pieces. I'd LOVE to find a cut of just the baseline from SCOM.
Subbed YEARS ago. Lifelong member at SBL aswell. Never regretted it!
Guys thanks again for doing this one!!! Why my #1 instrument is a PJ, why I always have a chorus on my pedal board, why I love using picks? Duff means a lot to me. He's in the top 3 of my bass heroes. An absolute genius!!!
🧡🧡🧡
Superb session but an interview with Duff is so NEEDED .
This what I love about what you guys are doing. When these albums were released in the 80's, Duffs name was no where to be seen in the "Bass Player" type magazines. Do you think millions of people world wide are still listening to Stu Hamm tapping on his kubiki factor... (no disrespect Stu). We all wish we had tone and riffs like that recorded where generations are still listening and rocking to!
Couldn’t do better than starting with Rocket Queen - what a banger! Love GnR and Duff was one of my formative influences on bass - I bought the tab book for Appetite in my first few months of playing. The songwriting, arrangements, playing and sounds are just perfect on that album.
The Jazz Special was my first bass and I got it in 1985 just before my 15th birthday. I was working 2 hours a night after school for £1 an hour and 75% of my earnings went into that bass. I bought it from McCormacks Music shop in Glasgow (Sadly no longer there) on credit and paid it back at around £30 a month, that shop was supposedly where Jack Bruce bought his first bass from.. My Jazz Special was in Pewter with a black neck.