Slash Interview 2555SL Reviews [ Cont. from page 2 ] Later that month, he travelled to New York where he and Nile Rogers wrote and recorded a song called Obsession for an upcoming Quentin Tarantino movie, Curdled. The song’s distinctly Latin vibe will surprise many folk and Slash’s lengthy playout solo is a blinder! While in the Big Apple, the guitarist also found time to jam with living legend, Les Paul. “I was scared s**tless!” he admits. June: Performed with Alice Cooper at Sammy Hagar’s infamous club, Cabo Wabo, in Mexico. The gig was recorded for an upcoming live album and Slash appeared on four songs including Only Women Bleed and Elected which also featured Rob Zombie, vocalist of White Zombie. Add to this an appearance in a skit on Rosanne Barr’s ‘Saturday Night Show’ and another as a panelist on the popular Comedy Channel chat show, Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher and you realise that Slash truly is the busiest rock guitarist around! And, of course, while all this is going on he’s also working on new material with Guns ‘n’ Roses and, when time allows[!], Slash’s Snakepit too. ★ Just Do IT! ★ So, what drives Slash to play with so many different people? “It’s the only way I can grow and is probably the only reason I haven’t got stagnant,” he reveals. “It’s great experience because there’s no lengthy rehearsals or overdubs, you’re just forced to go out and deal with performing live, right there, on the spot. That’s the biggest learning experience for me. Also, when you do this a lot, you find that you meet new people who’re really good and you learn from them. And if you hadn’t gone out there, put yourself in the open and tried your hardest, you would never have been exposed to those great musicians. I’ve gotten to play with some of my heroes as a result of throwing myself out there all the time.” ★ The importance of a Cool Head ★ Of course, at all of the above playing dates, Slash used the <strong>Marshall</strong> amp that now bears his signature alongside Jim’s. “When I’ve been in different cities and countries, <strong>Marshall</strong> have been kind enough to loan me some 2555SL heads and cabs,” the shaggy-haired axeman states. “Working with loaner or rental amps is always the hardest thing for me to do but all the 2555SL’s I’ve used - from Germany to Japan to New York - have sounded f***in’ great right out of the box. As a result, I’m ecstatic because, no matter where I am in the world, providing I’ve got my guitar and can get hold of one of these amps, I know I’ll never have to worry about getting my sound again.” ★ Parting Shot! ★ Before Slash headed for yet another guest appearance, this time at an Alice Cooper show in LA, I asked him if he had any words of wisdom he’d like to pass onto up-and-coming guitarists. “My advice to a player who really wants to go the whole nine yards and isn’t just f***ing around, is this: Get out there and just take your chances. Whenever there’s an opportunity to do anything, take it. Don’t get nervous about it and, even if you are, go for it anyway. You might encounter a couple of scary situations which don’t work out the way you want but at least you’re always learning and growing as a musician. Once you know exactly what it is that you wanna hear and how you wanna play, keep forcing yourself into situations where you get an opportunity to do it. To make a short story long [laughs], that would be my advice!” Whenever <strong>Marshall</strong> launches a new amp, we ship one out to each of the world’s major Guitar mags and then wait patiently for their verdicts to appear in print. Well, the writeups of the 2555SL Slash Signature head are in and we’re delighted to report that it received rave reviews right across the board. Below are some of the highlights . . . “ . . . remember the Maxell ad with the guy in the chair listening to his stereo with his hair blowing back? Well, imagine the chair empty and the guy pinned to the wall! This sucker moves air . . . lots of it!”. The Shadow, LIVEWIRE (USA), August / Sept ’96. “Despite the rhythm channel’s many strengths, the lead channel is where the JCM Slash Signature truly shines. Rich in harmonics and attitude, this channel is blessed with a stunning clarity that preserves the harmonic integrity of even the geekiest jazz chord. The lows are tight, punchy and defined, the highs shimmering and musical. Notes sustain effortlessly and are easily coaxed into singing feedback. More important, or perhaps all important, is the fact that while this amp has a unique character of it’s own, it manages to assert it while preserving the integrity of your guitar’s sound.” GUITAR WORLD, April ’96. “It’s still very much a <strong>Marshall</strong>, but think of it as a well trained Rottweiler - as happy chasing around a stick in the park as it is savaging the postmans’ trousers. When it comes to doing what it does best the re-issue is a force to be reckoned and will easily deliver the gamut of classic rock and blues tones - including a very convincing ‘Bluesbreaker’ type overdrive.” GUITARIST (UK), April ’96. “Plug in a humbucker equipped Gibson, select the Lead Channel and you’re rewarded with a full, fat and incisive rock sound that’s fun to play and easy to control. Power chords block up nicely for classic smooth sustain, yet single notes still come across with clarity and bass remains punchy at all times, even with the gain cranked up.” THE GUITAR MAGAZINE (UK), April ’96. “The Slash’s ease of operation makes it an obvious choice for those who dig the sound and simplicity of an 800 Series <strong>Marshall</strong>, but want the ability to footswitch between sounds. If you’ve been wishing for a new rock amp that can fill the gap between retro and modern, the Slash may do the trick. Now if <strong>Marshall</strong> would just keep making them . . .” GUITAR PLAYER, July ’95. “Welcome to the jungle boys and girls . . . ’cos the new <strong>Marshall</strong> Slash amp ain’t for the faint at heart!” The Shadow, LIVEWIRE (USA), “ . . . I got good results from the clean channel as well : tight, responsive, smacking sounds that offered classic <strong>Marshall</strong> dynamics. Play soft, and the amp sounds soft. Play hard, and the amp gets loud and aggressive. The tone was full-bodied and slightly emphasised the higher frequencies. I got good sustain too. Believe it or not, the clean channel can sustain the high harmonic of a low A note on the low E string as you like - no problem.” GUITAR SHOP, August ’96. 5 6 By Nick Bowcott What the critics say . . . Sept ’96.