Is slash overated???

[azz the heretic]

I think he is
Dont get me wrong i like Guns and Roses and Velvet revolver as much as the next person but i do think hes overated

Discuss???

[RedPyramidSH]

Who is Slash?

{:3

[azz the heretic]

Who is Slash?

{:3

U Serious?

[tombrady]

he's extremely overrated.

he's not a great guitarist by any standard, but that doesn't mean I don't like his sound on some of his solos. He has a great tone but it's generic and he's not creative at all.

[jimmymadstdnt]

How many artists after the release of Appetite have used a Wah pedal?

Many, many, many, I mean who hasn't.

How many used it in the 80s before Sweet Child, none.

He single handedly brought back the most prominent effect used in guitar music today. Not to mention his outstanding ability to bring about a whole new sound, he's outstanding by every measure of guitar playing from harmony, virtuosity, technical ability, you name it he's got it by the boat load. Outstanding guitarist and, if anything, underrated.

[jimmymadstdnt]

Pick up a guitar, learn how to play it (and I mean scales and theory and such not just a couple of damn power chords) then come back and say slash isn't great.

Well, even then you'd still be wrong.

[Kylekillgannon]

Pick up a guitar, learn how to play it (and I mean scales and theory and such not just a couple of damn power chords) then come back and say slash isn't great.

Well, even then you'd still be wrong.

Actually, I'd be right, Slash is a good guitarist, but is by far not as great as his image projects

[tombrady]

One doesn't have to be a guitar virtuoso to give an opinion on a musician :)

I just think Slash lacks creativity. He has a very good tone and many of his solos SOUND great, but from a technical and creative and composition standpoint, he's overrated.

I hope you aren't interpreting my opinion as me saying "He sucks" because I don't believe Slash sucks. I hate GnR and VR but despite that, Sweet Child has one of my favorite solos of all time.

It doesn't have to be technically impressive to be a good solo...Slash can dick around with pentatonics all day and make it sound sexual...but it doesn't mean it's difficult :)

Is he a better guitarist than I'll ever be? Of course. But is he one of the best of all time? Probably not.

[cromartie90000]

He's a ****in living legend man, he taught himself how to play? He died and came back alive just like Jesus man!

[erickOnasis412]

He single handedly brought back the most prominent effect used in guitar music today. Not to mention his outstanding ability to bring about a whole new sound, he's outstanding by every measure of guitar playing from harmony, virtuosity, technical ability, you name it he's got it by the boat load. Outstanding guitarist and, if anything, underrated.

i don't agree with you on rap lol, but i do agree with you on this.. in my opinion, there's no way in hell Slash is overated

[polishdog90]

Slash is awesome. Especially since in a time filled with hair metal he came out of nowhere with blues based metal. Just sit down and listen to the entire CD of Apetite For Destruction. There are so many awesome riffs and licks. And he doesnt just play chords either, he writes long intricate guitar parts. In my opinion he is the only real guitar legend that still plays pretty well.

[Kylekillgannon]

Slash is awesome. Especially since in a time filled with hair metal he came out of nowhere with blues based metal. Just sit down and listen to the entire CD of Apetite For Destruction. There are so many awesome riffs and licks. And he doesnt just play chords either, he writes long intricate guitar parts. In my opinion he is the only real guitar legend that still plays pretty well.

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I wouldn't say the only.....

[polishdog90]

I wouldn't say the only.....

I love Steve Vai, but I dont consider him a guitar god. Along with Satriani, Buckethead, and Batio. I just think that in order to get to guitar god status you have to be in a successful band with a vocalist. Working well with others is part of being a great guitarist. Plus all those guys are amazing instrumentally, but haven't written the same quality songs as Slash. Slash has written some riffs that everyone knows and loves.

[Kylekillgannon]

I love Steve Vai, but I dont consider him a guitar god. Along with Satriani, Buckethead, and Batio. I just think that in order to get to guitar god status you have to be in a successful band with a vocalist. Working well with others is part of being a great guitarist. Plus all those guys are amazing instrumentally, but haven't written the same quality songs as Slash. Slash has written some riffs that everyone knows and loves.

The reason people know about those riffs is because it's "Cool" to like Slash, He's a very mainstream image.

And Steve Vai has had numerous feats worthy of godly status, most notable of which is G3

[polishdog90]

The reason people know about those riffs is because it's "Cool" to like Slash, He's a very mainstream image.

And Steve Vai has had numerous feats worthy of godly status, most notable of which is G3

I know Steve Vai is amazing. I don't decide who a rock god and who isnt, but Im just saying for me he just doesnt cut it. I just think it takes a certain skill to write mainstream music in a band with a singer along with being a pretty good techinical guitarist that puts emotion into music. Doing that over a span of years is what I qualify a rock god.

Btw I saw Steve Vai in September and he played some new stuff that was really great.

[King_Nuthin]

Guns n Roses went way down hill the minute Izzy left, so I vote yes.

[senomar]

he's extremely overrated.

he's not a great guitarist by any standard, but that doesn't mean I don't like his sound on some of his solos. He has a great tone but it's generic and he's not creative at all.
^^I agree with every thing you just said.

[Seattle_Sound]

He's a ****in living legend man, he taught himself how to play? He died and came back alive just like Jesus man!

lol not sure if your serious but tons of guitarists are self taught.

And Slash is way overrated, GNR is too. I mean who really wants to listen to Axl whine about how fans are videotaping the show and go to shows where Axl is starting riots and crap.

Just compare him to some of the great guitarists of today....Satriani destroys Slash.

Plus he lost major points by being on the cover of a video game. Even if he was on Rock Band it would be ***. What a sellout.

[Julio_No_Mas]

Absolutely not. He deserves every bit of his fame.

GNR and VR rule \m/

[Wildcat3170]

lol not sure if your serious but tons of guitarists are self taught.

And Slash is way overrated, GNR is too. I mean who really wants to listen to Axl whine about how fans are videotaping the show and go to shows where Axl is starting riots and crap.

Just compare him to some of the great guitarists of today....Satriani destroys Slash.

Plus he lost major points by being on the cover of a video game. Even if he was on Rock Band it would be ***. What a sellout.

So if Morelli or whatever got his picture on the cover, not slash, would he be a sellout? Only a stupid guitarist if approached saying 'would you want to be on the cover of guitar hero, a game that is reaching out to people and teaching them to appreciate the guitars they listen ton on the songs' would say 'no, i'm too hardcore and metal to do that, hur hur hur' Give me a break. It's not selling out, it's putting a face to a fantastic item.

People say he's generic and blah blah- i'm assuming this opinion is being based off the recorded tracks, and that may be true. Watch Slash on live GnR videos of most songs you've heard of. He changes it up and improvs a LOT of the solo's. I think he has a very unique sound and could pick him out of a crowd just by sound.

Someone also said about 'image'. He is a recognizable image as a rock badass from GnR that played like there was no tomorrow and lived the same. Half of anything famous is image. He still has the same image of a rocker- nothing has changed, just everything else around him has.

He might not be the best of all time, but he is up there when it comes to playing with heart, charisma, and skill.

[DethBoxx]

Not only is he overrated, but both of his bands suck in my opinion.

[Julio_No_Mas]

Not only is he overrated, but both of his bands suck in my opinion.
Your opinion is wrong.

[SLASHed-up]

I dont see how you can say Slash is overrated. For those who are old enough to remember back in the day when GnR was a modern band (like in 1987) There was so much negtivity around them, it was annoying. To say Slash is overrated is like saying Buckethead isnt weird. Its just not right. Then again I know him so maybe that contributes to my feelings.

[DethBoxx]

Your opinion is wrong.

No, it's not.

[Julio_No_Mas]

No, it's not.

Yes it is. There's people at my school who don't even know who Slash is. How can he be overrated?

[velvetFREAKINrevolver]

Pick up a guitar, learn how to play it (and I mean scales and theory and such not just a couple of damn power chords) then come back and say slash isn't great.

Well, even then you'd still be wrong.

yall are sme damn idiots if you say Slash is overrated ur an over rere if u think he isnt the best $#%@$#$ guitarist ever next to Hendrix and hed be damn proud of slash luv ya jimmy!!!

[velvetFREAKINrevolver]

you suck dck and ur crzy btch

[velvetFREAKINrevolver]

very true man u have a grt perspective on things n if u know him well enough u shld hook me up with his # or email or something not a raving fan or anything but ittd be cool to talk to him

[DethBoxx]

Yes it is. There's people at my school who don't even know who Slash is. How can he be overrated?

Your logic is impeccable.:rolleyes:

[LIBERT4D]

Let me say I'm a big big fan so I'm a tad biased.. but there's a reason I'm a fan... I heard AFD straight through for the first time in like 2000 and i've been a fan ever since. They're my favorite band of all time and I have nearly every related side project... Izzy's CDs, Gilbys cds, Snakepit, VR, etc.

I don't think he's overrated. I also don't think he's the greatest of all time, though. But I don't think he receives enough recognition; I don't think he's that mainstream at all because it's not like MTV hypes VR at all or really gives a **** about any decent rock band.

Put Slash with ANYONE and he can put on a show, whether it's Ron Wood, cheap trick, hell even Michael Jackson. I think a great deal of it is thanks to his 'character' of being the cool, laid back cat in the top hat, but collectively along with his ability makes for one damn good guitarist. I have seen him 3 times with VR and met him once; he's a class act and puts on a great show. It's sad I was unable to see him with GnR.

But Sweet Child, November Rain, etc.. modern classics. To hell with the critics.. You don't see Fall Out Boy sharing a stage with the Stones, Aerosmith, or Metallica. Sad day if it happens; but I think GnR was the last true rock and roll band. Coming out and jamming with whoever they were opening for, and the headliners returning the favor out of respect and admiration. Says a lot when Slash idolizes Joe Perry, and when they opened for Aerosmith, Perry and Tyler came out to play a song with SLASH'S band. Must have been a dream come true; and I'd feel the same way if some day i were in that position, in a band opening for Slash. (it'll never happen, but hypothetically.)

[Julio_No_Mas]

Your logic is impeccable.:rolleyes:

Overrated bands/artists that don't deserve it include:
MCR
Panic! At the Disco
50 Cent
Soulja Boy
Fergie

Those are overrated bands. Those are bands that most people I know, know. Slash can't be overrated if 80&#37; of the people I know don't know who he is.

[topperharley]

Slash can't be overrated if 80% of the people I know don't know who he is.

Someone can be overrated even if only a small percentage of people know who that person is. I'm not a huge fan of his, but I appreciate his talent. At the same time, I wouldn't put him on my top ten list of greatest guitar players.

[polishdog90]

Someone can be overrated even if only a small percentage of people know who that person is. I'm not a huge fan of his, but I appreciate his talent. At the same time, I wouldn't put him on my top ten list of greatest guitar players.

I agree, but I would say he is one of the best that is still alive/playing/writing. There just seems to be a lack of new guitarists that are just really great. I know there are still some, but compared to the 60s 70s 80, early 90s, and hell even the 50s there are hardly any today. Slash isn't the best, but still hes great. I don't think hes overrated, because not even a lot of people think he is the best ever.

[Seattle_Sound]

Overrated bands/artists that don't deserve it include:
MCR
Panic! At the Disco
50 Cent
Soulja Boy
Fergie

Those are overrated bands. Those are bands that most people I know, know. Slash can't be overrated if 80% of the people I know don't know who he is.

Just because the people you know are stupid doesnt mean Slash is amazing. You really need to expand your tastes if you think Slash is an amazing guitarist. Trust me there is alot better out there.

[battle_axe_of_doom]

of course he's overrated he was the guitarist of one of the most overrated/****<override>ty bands in history

[wickedbadz]

I think he's over rated, I've seen guns and roses with him and with buckethead, and they where better with buckethead. Then again buckethead has never fallen face down on the stage from too much heroin either.

[Julio_No_Mas]

Just because the people you know are stupid doesnt mean Slash is amazing. You really need to expand your tastes if you think Slash is an amazing guitarist. Trust me there is alot better out there.

Have you even heard his boss battle in GH3? Not many people can play that part at the end. Also, this thread isn't about him being amazing, it's about him being overrated.

[Seattle_Sound]

Have you even heard his boss battle in GH3? Not many people can play that part at the end. Also, this thread isn't about him being amazing, it's about him being overrated.

Yeah I have and its ONE PART! Making one good guitar part doesnt mean people should crown you king of music. He is overrated because people like you think he's one of the greatest guitarists ever when he really isnt that great.

[Julio_No_Mas]

Yeah I have and its ONE PART! Making one good guitar part doesnt mean people should crown you king of music. He is overrated because people like you think he's one of the greatest guitarists ever when he really isnt that great.

That's only your opinion. An opinion that is wrong.

Tell the millions of people that bought his records that he's not an amazing guitarist. Amount of albums GNR and VR have sold > Grunge albums sold.

[battle_axe_of_doom]

who gives a **** about record sales?? if we're taking record sales into account then brittney spears is the greatest female singer of all time.

slash blows, vr blows, gnr blows and get ****ing used to it

[Julio_No_Mas]

who gives a **** about record sales?
Apparently you do since you're going on about it.

[battle_axe_of_doom]

uhh because you're the one who brought it up moron.


Tell the millions of people that bought his records that he's not an amazing guitarist. Amount of albums GNR and VR have sold > Grunge albums sold.

[Faldrok]

To get this topic away from juvenile "Your opinion is wrong! Only my opinion is right!" fights, I figure I'll respond to the actual question at hand.

Personally, I don't think Slash is overrated. To be overrated, one needs to be acclaimed higher than one's ability to do what he or she is being rated in. Since Slash is a band guitarist (As opposed to a solo guitarist such as Joe Satriani, whom I also love listening to), you can't really compare the two. As someone noted, the styles are different. For solo guitarists, the songs are basically one long solo. In a band such as GnR and VR, the guitar isn't the most important instrument the entire song so it takes a backing role during verses and the such and compliments the rest of the song with riffs, fills, whatever.

Back to Slash. I found this quote interesting:


It doesn't have to be technically impressive to be a good solo...Slash can dick around with pentatonics all day and make it sound sexual...but it doesn't mean it's difficult

And it doesn't have to be difficult to be considered "good". As I noted earlier, you need to compare an artist to someone with a different style. For example, you can't ask "Is X Drummer better than Y singer?" It's just not a valid comparison.

So, in this case, while Slash is a guitarist just like Joe Satriani (And other instrumentalist guitarists), his goal isn't necessarily the same. Slash's goal is to write a guitar part that meshes well with the vocals, bass, drums but doesn't always have the "lead role". So, to finally get to the point (Heh, I keep hitting on side points...), I'm just saying that it's best to compare Slash to other band guitarists and how well they perform in their respective duties. As has been said, Slash has a very nice tone, writes some amazing (And easily recognizable) riffs and has been very successful as a guitarist for various bands (most notably GnR and VR). So based on that, I'd say he deserves a lot of credit, and someone that deserves a lot of credit can't necessarily be "overrated" as it's all deserving.

Now, am I saying that everyone who dislikes Slash is stupid and "wrong"? No, of course not. But I am saying that just because he isn't the most technically sound, the most creative, or the most musically inclined guitarist, he still does what he does very well. And that's just to rock out with his band.

Note: I mentioned Joe Satriani because he was mentioned in this thread, and I do enjoy listening to him very much, so I figured it'd be a good comparison to prove my point. I'm also not saying that Slash is better than Satch nor am I saying Satch is better than Slash. I like both for different reasons, and both of them (And many other guitarists that I didn't name!) are hardcore guitarists that make wonderful music. Rock on!

[Progged]

I'd just be happy if his guitar was in tune.

Slash is overrated in my opinion as well. He has no creativity, playing strictly pentatonic scales. Branch out... I am not against bluesy style guitarists, but Slash has yet to impress me.

[BubbaC]

over rated as a guitarist? no.. he get about the amount of credit due. not the greatest. definitely good. but there are much better out there who get less and more credit. hes about right on in credit there.

over rated as rock star? no.. he definitely was one the true rockers.

over publicized? definitely! especially now a days. but then again there are NO rock stars in the industry at the moment and every one is now turning the clocks back and idolizing the last generation of true rockers. semi glad they got off of nirvana.. but now they are exploiting my precious hair metal left and right and i am getting p.o.ed lol

[FrshChees]

HEEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLNO. He's the only reason I listen to GNR and thought about Velvet Revolver. Without him GNR wouldn't have been nearly as succesful as they were. Not creative?!?

[fenderstrat15]

Slash is one of the greatest guitarists that's still playing, and the fact that he still goes on to innovate the world of rock music is inspiring. i will ask anyone to give a good reason as to why they say he's overrated. And i don't want to hear "he's not creative" or "the songs he plays aren't hard." I want an actual answer

[battle_axe_of_doom]

^ he sucks

hows that for an answer??

[King_Nuthin]

Slash is one of the greatest guitarists that's still playing, and the fact that he still goes on to innovate the world of rock music is inspiring. i will ask anyone to give a good reason as to why they say he's overrated. And i don't want to hear "he's not creative" or "the songs he plays aren't hard." I want an actual answer
Before I answer, I'd like to know what Slash has ever done that was "innovative".

[Wangsandsuch]

If you think Slash is overrated, name a few guitarists that played in bands that are that famous and aren't overrated. And don't try to compare Slash to someone like Satch, he's nothing but pure technical ability, and there's a reason people like Satch aren't on the radio.

[battle_axe_of_doom]

If you think Slash is overrated, name a few guitarists that played in bands that are that famous and aren't overrated. And don't try to compare Slash to someone like Satch, he's nothing but pure technical ability, and there's a reason people like Satch aren't on the radio.

this is possible the most moronic argument in the history of all arguments

[King_Nuthin]

If you think Slash is overrated, name a few guitarists that played in bands that are that famous and aren't overrated.
How's about I name one that played in the same band and actually wrote the bulk of their kickass songs?

Izzy Stradlin.

[battle_axe_of_doom]

how about cream, pink floyd, black sabbath, the who, deep purple, mahavishnu orcestra, santana, yes, etc etc etc etc

[starkukraine]

John Mclaughin would kick slashes ass.

[battle_axe_of_doom]

^ lol all of MO own soooo hard in their respective instruments

if mahavishnu john gets attention from miles davis AND chick corea AND santana, thats ****ing saying something

[Wangsandsuch]

Well if you're calling Slash overrated, you might as well call Eric Clapton overrated, I mean sure he's good, but he's still overrated. Anyone that can play might as well be overrated.

[Parodygm]

Overrated? I doubt it. I'm sure most people think he's a very good guitarist. Is someone pimping him as the guitarist-to-end-all-guitarists or something?

[Wangsandsuch]

No one ever claims him to be the greatest ever, and yet people still have to call him overrated. People just hate Guns 'n' Roses it seems.

[fenderstrat15]

No one ever claims him to be the greatest ever, and yet people still have to call him overrated. People just hate Guns 'n' Roses it seems.

You pretty much got it right

Nobody's saying he's God, he's just an excellent musician who deserves the respect that he's rightfully earned

[Wildcat3170]

Most of the time people that hate guns n roses hate Axl. His antics shed a very negative light on the band. But they were one of the highest selling of all time on an album (not a greatest hits album). I mean over 30 million records sold... of ONE album. and a.. what was it... 2 or 3 year world tour? Listening to their live versions is a lot more enjoyable then the recorded versions, it allows slash to go nuts on the solo's and they are generally different every time you see a live version of the song.

Axl was a douche, no one will EVER deny that, but the other members were fantastic, and made great music that gets you pumped up. Axl's voice will ALWAYS be one of the most recognizable in all of rock, his bi-polarish behavior takes away a lot from what the band accomplished and the music.

With Steven Adler, Izzy, Dizzy, Duff, and Slash it was just an immensely awesome lineup of fun imo.

[Wangsandsuch]

I think Axl was a douche too, but I still like the band for their music, and you shouldn't hate a band if only one person in the band is really bring them all down.

[battle_axe_of_doom]

You pretty much got it right

Nobody's saying he's God, he's just an excellent musician who deserves the respect that he's rightfully earned

i think the fact that he's on the cover for legends of rock pretty much proves that you are wrong. any gnr fan/80s ****rock fan will tell you that OMG SLASH IS THA GODZ NOVEMBOR RAINNNNN

**** slash, **** gnr, **** you

[Wangsandsuch]

i think the fact that he's on the cover for legends of rock pretty much proves that you are wrong. any gnr fan/80s ****rock fan will tell you that OMG SLASH IS THA GODZ NOVEMBOR RAINNNNN

**** slash, **** gnr, **** you

God you're a badass.

[battle_axe_of_doom]

ya ik

its my birthday so i can do whatever the **** i want to do today

[Wangsandsuch]

I hope you have fun winning at the interwebs.

[battle_axe_of_doom]

gonna git blasted later so this is just for fun right nowz

[polishdog90]

i think the fact that he's on the cover for legends of rock pretty much proves that you are wrong. any gnr fan/80s ****rock fan will tell you that OMG SLASH IS THA GODZ NOVEMBOR RAINNNNN

**** slash, **** gnr, **** you

I haven't heard anybody say that, and I know a lot of Guns N' Roses fans (I am a GNR fan too). I do think that Slash is great, but hes only in my top 20-30 favorite guitarists.

[FrshChees]

The reason people know about those riffs is because it's "Cool" to like Slash, He's a very mainstream image.


makes sense. I have a friend who likes rap and little bit of rock and he likes Slash. I didn't expect him to know who Slasj was. This was before GHIII. I still don't think he's overrated.

[Wangsandsuch]

I know alot of people that love the guitar parts in GNR songs and don't even know who Slash is.

[blue_dragonzero]

How many artists after the release of Appetite have used a Wah pedal?

Many, many, many, I mean who hasn't.

How many used it in the 80s before Sweet Child, none.

He single handedly brought back the most prominent effect used in guitar music today. Not to mention his outstanding ability to bring about a whole new sound, he's outstanding by every measure of guitar playing from harmony, virtuosity, technical ability, you name it he's got it by the boat load. Outstanding guitarist and, if anything, underrated.

Excuse me, pedals were used a great deal of time before Slash.

[socialcrawl]

i think slash is overated

[polishdog90]

i think slash is overated

I think your opinion is overated.

[Sarge51]

But see. Slash is oldschool. Sure now a days anyone could pick up a guitar and play. But back then not many people could do it that easily. You little 13 Year old kids don't know what REAL music is.

[Waryyhn]

How's about I name one that played in the same band and actually wrote the bulk of their kickass songs?

Izzy Stradlin.

QFFT.

Give me some Ju Ju Hounds or give me... well, not death. That's a bit drastic. A bad head cold, perhaps?

[dave93]

You little 13 Year old kids don't know what REAL music is.

Don't f*cking generalize so much. I'm only fourteen, and you wanna know what music I like? Here's a little list for ya...
Jimi Hendrix is probably my fav, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath/Ozzy, Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd (Comfortably Numb, that second solo is top notch), King Crimson, Eagles, Alice Cooper, some Aerosmith, some Clapton, some Beatles. A lotta 60's, 70's, I don't know. A lot of other bands. Classic rock, other rock, like some alternative 90's stuff sorta, like Collective Soul. Um, Pearl Jam, I dunno. STP. Dog Fashion Disco. Clutch, uhh. Hell, let's just work through my ipod --- A Perfect Circle, ACDC, Alice Cooper, AIC, Bad Religion, Black Sabbath, Seger (lame but still on there), Bush, Clutch, Collective Soul, Deftones, DFD (Dog Fashion Disco - Adultery especially), Eagles, Electric Six, Clapton, Flogging Molly, Jethro Tull, Hendrix, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Kiss (okay), Zeppelin, Ozzy, Pink Floyd, Police, QOTSA, Rage, Chili Peppers, Steve Miller Band, STP, Team Sleep, Beastie Boys, Beatles, The Cult, The Doors, The Hives, The Offspring, The Ramones, The Stones (rolling ones), Sex Pistols, The Stooges, White Stripes, Tool, Weezer (old only), etc.

It's people like you that help perpetuate the baseless idea that anyone under 30 doesn't know sh*t about music.

[osirisbunnyfoofoo]

Don't f*cking generalize so much. I'm only fourteen, and you wanna know what music I like? Here's a little list for ya...
Jimi Hendrix is probably my fav, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath/Ozzy, Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd (Comfortably Numb, that second solo is top notch), King Crimson, Eagles, Alice Cooper, some Aerosmith, some Clapton, some Beatles. A lotta 60's, 70's, I don't know. A lot of other bands. Classic rock, other rock, like some alternative 90's stuff sorta, like Collective Soul. Um, Pearl Jam, I dunno. STP. Dog Fashion Disco. Clutch, uhh. Hell, let's just work through my ipod --- A Perfect Circle, ACDC, Alice Cooper, AIC, Bad Religion, Black Sabbath, Seger (lame but still on there), Bush, Clutch, Collective Soul, Deftones, DFD (Dog Fashion Disco - Adultery especially), Eagles, Electric Six, Clapton, Flogging Molly, Jethro Tull, Hendrix, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Kiss (okay), Zeppelin, Ozzy, Pink Floyd, Police, QOTSA, Rage, Chili Peppers, Steve Miller Band, STP, Team Sleep, Beastie Boys, Beatles, The Cult, The Doors, The Hives, The Offspring, The Ramones, The Stones (rolling ones), Sex Pistols, The Stooges, White Stripes, Tool, Weezer (old only), etc.

It's people like you that help perpetuate the baseless idea that anyone under 30 doesn't know sh*t about music.

^Congratulations. You just proved his point for him.

Now, onto Slash: keep in mind that there is more to raw talent when it comes to playing guitar. In my opinion, the Sweet Child O' Mine solo is one of the greatest ever written. It's not some Van Halen-flail-on-the-fret-board style solo. He's freaking talking through his guitar. It's the only guitar solo I would ever describe as 'beautiful'. Even if you do want raw talent, Slash has plenty. Why people don't think that perplexes me. Don't believe me? Download the free Slash boss battle song on GH3, play it on expert, and then tell me he's not skilled.

[ProgNegative]

Is he overrated as far as technical knowledge of the guitar? Sure. He's been quoted as saying he has very little knowledge of music theory and the way he writes his riffs is basically by playing around until he finds something he thinks sounds good, may not be the most efficient way, but it works for him. That being said, most rock guitarists don't have much more than basic knowledge of music theory, but it doesn't seem to matter that much if the final product is a memorable piece of music. Most listeners have no music background and base their opinion of a musician on the music he produces, not the way he comes up with it, so you have to give Slash the credit he is due in terms of his ability to write a song that people enjoy, just try not to judge a musician's technical ability unless you know what you're talking about. You don't have to be a Joe Satriani to play something beautiful, it just means you don't have as many tools at your disposal to do it with.

[polishdog90]

^Congratulations. You just proved his point for him.

Now, onto Slash: keep in mind that there is more to raw talent when it comes to playing guitar. In my opinion, the Sweet Child O' Mine solo is one of the greatest ever written. It's not some Van Halen-flail-on-the-fret-board style solo. He's freaking talking through his guitar. It's the only guitar solo I would ever describe as 'beautiful'. Even if you do want raw talent, Slash has plenty. Why people don't think that perplexes me. Don't believe me? Download the free Slash boss battle song on GH3, play it on expert, and then tell me he's not skilled.

I agree that Slash is great, but if that is the only solo that you find beautiful you should definately listen to some Pink Floyd. I hate how some people just get stuck on pure technical guitar ability and not how the music is composed. I honestly dont care if someone can play fast or slow as long as it sounds good.

[Sillygoth]

While having a distinctive sound counts for a lot, as immediate identifiability contributes to stardom, it's certainly not the primary factor in determining greatness. For example: pretty much everyone can identify Lemmy from Motorhead's vocals if they hear them once. He has an undeniable sound and style for a vocalist, quite unique to himself. But we certainly can't say that he's one of the greatest singers ever.

That being said, he has something that very few guitarists have: The "It" factor. He oozes cool, and he legitimized Velvet Revolver in the eyes of many fans simply by joining them. That's the mark of a true legend. He made legions of people take notice of a band simply by being there.

Overrated....hell no.

[osirisbunnyfoofoo]

I agree that Slash is great, but if that is the only solo that you find beautiful you should definately listen to some Pink Floyd. I hate how some people just get stuck on pure technical guitar ability and not how the music is composed. I honestly dont care if someone can play fast or slow as long as it sounds good.

Congratulations on understanding how music works.(That's not supposed to be as sarcastic as it comes off as. Or, sarcastic at all.) I actually have Dark Side Of The Moon and have never listened to it. I listened to only the first track and The Great Gig In The Sky and decided it was boring. I probably won't change my mind on those two, but I hardly would call that a fair judgment of an entire cd. So maybe I'll break it out again after Christmas. I do like "Money" an awful lot.

[ShaggMuffin]

Honestly, Slash IS overrated. Yes, he's a great guitarist, but there are plenty better. Just watch some John Frusciante, and you'll realize that the melody is greater than the speed.

[polishdog90]

Congratulations on understanding how music works.(That's not supposed to be as sarcastic as it comes off as. Or, sarcastic at all.) I actually have Dark Side Of The Moon and have never listened to it. I listened to only the first track and The Great Gig In The Sky and decided it was boring. I probably won't change my mind on those two, but I hardly would call that a fair judgment of an entire cd. So maybe I'll break it out again after Christmas. I do like "Money" an awful lot.

Yeah Pink Floyd doesn't always work. You have to be in the right mindset to listen to them. Dark Side is a great album but if you can get your hands on Wish You Were Here or Animals I feel those are both better albums. I used to think that Pink Floyd was boring, but now I understand how amazing they are. All of their music just flows and it's so artistic that its almost impossible to comprehend. It's hard to explain, but It just clicked for me.

[polishdog90]

Honestly, Slash IS overrated. Yes, he's a great guitarist, but there are plenty better. Just watch some John Frusciante, and you'll realize that the melody is greater than the speed.

Im sorry but basically what you just said proves you wrong. Slash isn't that fast and he is known for writing great melodies.

[chillzatl]

so funny, I remember talking about this same topic in the late 80's when Slash was getting "Guitarist of the year" awards by non-guitar oriented magazines. Here's the facts:

Slash it not a great technical guitar player

Slash is an excellent song writer

There's really nothing more to discuss here. How you regard him depends no how much weight you give the two points above when discussing greatness.

[Destromas]

As iconic as he is, and as good as his playing skills are, it doesn't change the fact that his music hardly reaches beyond its own spectrum and has no uniquity among itself. Overrated.

[Arramis]

Honestly, I think Slash is a bit overrated. That doesn't mean he isin't a great guitar player but, his image is overblown. If you made a list of great guitar players Slash would be WAAAYY down on the list. Is he better than Clapton? Vaughan? ( either Stevie Ray or Jimmie ) Hendrix? Townsend? Angus Young? Blackmore? Malmsteen? Just to name a few.

[S1ashRev]

The people that say Slash is overrated or sucks are the same people that think Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Jimmy Page, David Gilmour, Joe Perry, Angus Young, etc., etc. are overrated or sucks.

I swear people you do not have to be a technical virtuoso on the guitar to be great. In fact a lot of people like me don't really like that kind of sound. Actually I would say most people don't like that sound. You can keep Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Yngwie Malmsteen, etc., etc., and just give me great bluesy, down, and dirty rock n' roll, BABY!!

It's not that I do not like these guys. I can appreciate their talent but they are just not my style. So the point to all this is everyone has different taste and don't hate on other people's taste by starting a thread that hates on somebody's favorite guitarist (mine included if you couldn't tell). And I promise I won't hate on your favorites.:p

[IslandBoy91]

I'd say underrated if anything

[Modfather]

Yeah I find it weird that Guns N Roses came out of the LA hair metal scene. They just seem out of place compared to the other bands in a good way. I also love the story about little predator people attacking him with machine guns... Priceless.

[inferius]

lookit poll numbers.... hes isnt overrated its a majority vs a majority. opinion vs opinion

NO ONE IS EVERY GOING TO LIKE EVERYTHING THE NEXT PERSON DOES

[Insane3]

How many artists after the release of Appetite have used a Wah pedal?

Many, many, many, I mean who hasn't.

How many used it in the 80s before Sweet Child, none.

He single handedly brought back the most prominent effect used in guitar music today. Not to mention his outstanding ability to bring about a whole new sound, he's outstanding by every measure of guitar playing from harmony, virtuosity, technical ability, you name it he's got it by the boat load. Outstanding guitarist and, if anything, underrated.

What are you talking about? Wah wah wasnt invented in the 80s... Hendrix used some, Clapton used some... Maybe I misunderstood your point...

Slash didn't invent any new guitar things. He's a really good guitarist that can make a nice show but he's not a revolutionnary guitarist.


He's a ****in living legend man, he taught himself how to play? He died and came back alive just like Jesus man!

Jimi Hendrix learned by himself too... Lots of guitarist learn by themselve.

[Insane3]

Well if you're calling Slash overrated, you might as well call Eric Clapton overrated, I mean sure he's good, but he's still overrated. Anyone that can play might as well be overrated.

Hem, Eric Clapton is probably underrated cause he's doesnt put much a show. He's in the top 10 best guitarist of all time for me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PG3WaL8Fq74

He sure aint the fastest, but hes one of the most immersive/emotive player.

[OSUjen]

Definitely overrated. As is his band.

[sidman69]

not overrated, great guitarist, may not be revolutionary, but still awesome. Now come on Harmonix, give us some damn GnR!