Rig Rundown - Testament's Alex Skolnick

[damnonii]

Ouch, Alex looks a little rough, we have a tweaker in our neighborhood that don't look this bad. Alex isn't sick or something is he?

[MBvolcom92]

@damnonii he's just getting older man :P

[damnonii]

@MBvolcom92 I've got grey hair and dentures myself so I know about older, but Alex just looks bad, I mean even his eyes look dull or something.

[drakey27]

flame maple top, rosewood fingerboard with mahogany back? Why's that different?

[Dakan17]

Hell Yeah !! i use The Mode 4 also !!\m/

[HurricaneTBag]

Heritage Guitars fucking rule, by far and away my favorite guitar company. Can't wait to get my H157.

[zillathegorilla]

@ 1:12 that's not birdseye maple.

[kottengod]

cant believe he plays marshall...

[megaluisdeth]

@kottengod Marshalls=Thrash Metal

[kottengod]

@megaluisdeth i know, but testament never sounded marshally to me^^

[HurricaneTBag]

@kottengod Ehhhh...Eric plays most of the rhythms. JVMs can get sounds that aren't very Marshally, I'm not really familiar with the amp that Alex uses though.

[kottengod]

@HurricaneTBag cant tell about erics gear, too....but thx for the info^^

[HurricaneTBag]

@kottengod I was wrong, Eric uses a Fender 5150 III. Those are absolutely tits.

[drakey27]

I have never come across anybody who knows about guitar playing with anything bad to say about this guy.

[LichKingSkullWart]

@drakey27 He sounds a bit like Silvester Selone...

[FromOutsideTheBox]

Is the Duncan what he uses in testament? The Dimarzio site says he uses Evolution so I bought it... Now i'm about to kick myself...

Someone get back to me on this cuz I have a show this new year and am having them installed tomorrow..

thanks

[RaidenNoKishi]

@FromOutsideTheBox I'd guess he used Evos earlier on, back when he played Ibanez guitars more. I think he's switched mainly to the Heritage/Duncan combo as of late.

[johnrusschen]

He said Dunlop Flange, not Phase

[metalrhoads]

this guy is a beast, heavy guitar, thick neck, thick strings... just great xD

[archenemyowns]

Testament is nothing with out Alex! Alex is Testament!

[hehhee1000]

@archenemyowns Testament is Alex, Eric, Chuck and Greg.

[fatboyphl]

@hehhee1000 and paul bostaph

[hehhee1000]

@fatboyphl Right. I forgot him.

[nwojason]

im a long time testament fan let me tell you when alex left it was a big let down the guitarists that replaced him were all great guitarists but it never seemed the same, when they got james murphy they had another awesome lead guitaruist but it always seemed like whoever the lead guitarist was they were never as great as alex.Believe me here where i live in the bay area all the long time testament fans were really happy when alex rejoined testament.

[Vlodimer]

smack ur lips up!

[marinbusic]

I liked his yellow ibanez better. This is just a boring old les paul.

[777Lateralus]

Guitar center sucks donkey dick.

Mode four is the best amp marshall ever made

[icecube0606]

what a cool dude, and and such an underrated guitarist

[capmkrob]

Funny how he's describing his 'signature model' like it's something extraordinary, when it's basically a fucking LP with Duncan '59 and JB pick ups, A SUPER COMMON CONFIGURATION! BIG DEAL!! Haha!!

Seriously though, he is a great player and Heritage guitars are super nice. I WAS surprised o hear that he uses such thick, massive strings, even for lead work! Crazy!

[Vomitore]

@capmkrob Yeah to me, he was always an Ibanez guy. As for the strings, playing jazz im sure if he used 10's it would be feel like fishing string since most jazz players us at least 11's. But usually 12's or 13's.

[IMBACHABRI]

@capmkrob he is jazz player,so thick strings don't mind him xD

[lovepuremetal5]

13-56 guage dam that's heavy.

what does he tune his guitar to?

[ImpalersDK]

@lovepuremetal5 Either E or D. I'm not really sure.

[Metaldudehere]

@lovepuremetal5 Most testament songs are in standard i think

[Joeseffel]

@lovepuremetal5 On the latest record (Formation Of Damnation) they're in E flat.

[arpraron]

This guy's awesome.

[Lynch34]

Skolnick always sounds like a humble guy in interviews, such an amazing guitar player.

[jfkdjfd]

i have never loved Gibsons. i think they're overated, and blah. I have played many Gibsons, and they're balh, i don't like them.

These Heritage guitars are good.

[kimkikki]

@jfkdjfd agree.epiphones are fucking better and they cost 1/5 of that aristocratic shit.people play with his money and not with his heart.ciao bestia da cagliari(sardinia,italy)

[Griffith101]

@jfkdjfd Gibson are hit and miss. But when you get a "hit" model they are amazing.

[Itsooz]

Did he use to abuse drugs? He acts a bit weird. Great player nonetheless.

[HurricaneTBag]

@Itsooz I'm sure he's used them, but most guys that talented are a bit off.

[DarthMorbius1977]

@Itsooz The answer you are looking for: YES. Testament is some old school stuff, and they used to tour a LOT. Do the math however you will. ;-)

[luvz2sploogeify]

this man is an absolute legend and one of the most underrated guitarists out there. i have just bought every single testament album from rolling stones records here in chicago, and they are just an amazing metal band. cant wait for their next masterpeice.

[Jrage12]

he's absolultey right about the mode four. dial it right and its AWESOME!!!!!!!

[superjesus117]

Those mode fours are awesome. Both guitarist in my friend justins band play them, they fucking scream

[312chicagoadam]

Leave it to Guitar Center to thoroughly fuck things up! People who work there are SALESMEN!!!! They don't give a shit about me, you,,,,anybody!!!

They are the Wal-Mart of guitar stores.

[xXNeoShredderXx]

You speak the truth.

[312chicagoadam]

In December, I was in the market for a new (HIGH END) guitar, call up GC, ask for a "Manager," they give me a fucking SALESMAN-some stupid KID. Been dealing with them for YEARS, I know how it works-IF I need something from them (which is RARE), I want a Manager, not some poor sap worried about his bullshit commission (how THEY get paid). I made the appointment to meet with the Manager to buy the guitar, and the day I come in, he's NOT there! He told me 11AM; wasn't coming in until 1PM: I left.

[ChristBurner]

@312chicagoadam i hear ya ..damn i wanna find one of these M4's ahha ive never played one but i wanna see whats up..

[000acr000]

@312chicagoadam Unless you become friends with people who work there, I got half 15 percent off of my half stack, and half off of a set up :P

[megaluisdeth]

@312chicagoadam Yea I know! I when to guy buy me 2nd guitar there...This guy was all like are you going to buy that guitar? And I said yea. Anyways....He dem0-ed the guitar and he tried tuning the pegs while the lockpads were on! He had no Idea what locking tuners were for!

[ahvaimusicom]

@312chicagoadam trust me dude, GC is way better than the two chains in canada, we have Long and McQuade and Tom Lee, they blow. no deals, guitar center rocks.

[MartyFriedmanRulez66]

@ahvaimusicom Long and MCquade SUCKS all the guitars are either starter guitars or 5000$ guitars it's bullshit :P, if you live in Kingston check out renaissance music, all their guitars are so overpriced and the gear I sent 159.99$ on a Metalcore, and I saw the same pedal for 98.99$ at SoundWorks

[WhyMeWhyYou22]

@312chicagoadam well in that case, if you ever go to london uk, dont go to denmark street, i think the shop was called rock stop all the staff there... fucking horrible people : p

[312chicagoadam]

@WhyMeWhyYou22 Ouch! I feel your pain, Brother! Actually, my buddy Chappers (check out his YouTube Channel) always touts the musical goodness that is "Anderton's" out your way....ever been there? They seem like a great bunch of people there!

[mmooppaarr6699]

Marshall Mode Four is an amazing amp! I have one can't understand why it never caught on. Tone is amazing, thought it does take some experimentation and setup time. This amp sounds good at lower volume levels, but screams at higher volume and gain. Looks like I have a buyer if I decide to sell.

[yanzki19]

wow he uses thick strings!!! LOL

[Axeman2006]

Wow that sig guitar looks so original.........

lol, seriously wicked guitarist though

But hes actually wrong about the weight

it is well established that lighter guitars have more sustain and resonance.

ah....smack......ah......smack­.....ah

this is your brain on drugs.....ah lmfao

Sorry Alex, love your playing, respect!

[noremac91]

@Axeman2006

What are you talking about?

Les pauls are legendary for their natural sustain, any guitar played by someone who knows how to control feedback, however, will sustain forever, but your wrong, mahogany is one of the heaviest woods and sustains the longest, i don't know where you are getting your facts from

[metalmusiqcrzy]

@noremac91 good alder sustains for ever not cheap grade shit the hog is chunky sounding wood i knoe that much

[rackeffect]

Shit! He plays 13s. Strong fingers. The great SRV went even higher. Amazing.

[ducky811]

So does Phil Collen on his signature guitars. I was surprised to hear that.

[esa1810]

I played once with Alex 20 years ago, and he played RG550 and 560's..total opposite of  the Heritage.

[johnnylgr11]

bullshit

[c4tze]

@esa1810 the jazz stuff made him switch to fixed bridge les pauls. but at least he has been the proud presenting ibanez shredsman.

[trex257]

He does sound a little drunk most of the time, that is just the way he talks. He has a deep voice and he enunciates his words EXTREMELY clearly with can sound like he is trying to hard to talk (like a drunk person does when they are talking to the cops).

[guitarguru08]

haha i live in kalamazoo, mi like 5 mins from heratige guitars

[thailow117]

thelonious monk shirt. he was already sporting coltrane shirts in 1988! cool guy and a great player!

[JediKeSula]

Alex is my god but why does he talk funny? He always sounds like his drunk, haha.

[cjdabes]

Ya, same, he is my favorite guitarist, but, at least in this video, he seems to go make a *click* sound before he speeks sometimes.

[streetwarrior31]

i presume that probaly is tired.

It must be in the end of a show.

[iAMcooooooool]

I've seen interviews with Alex. Not once did he sound drunk. And he doesn't sound drunk here. What gave you that impression?

[Jammernc]

Justifying? That's talking proudly about his baby. I have 2 Heritages, a 140-P and a 150 CM, and after years of searching and dozens of guitars, this is IT. They almost play themselves and are an extension of me. Gibson can't touch them.

As for Alex, he's been a true inspiration especially with his playing in TSO and his jazz adventures.

[HighZombiesRule]

You're so lucky. They must be great hand-made toney inspiration of lore. I may just get one myself. Something handmade when made great takes a little love and there is that personal magick, it just makes music more real and alive. The best music played on violins were obviously hand-made. Machines can't do pickups or guitars right. It's all in the human hand, bro. Cheers on your rig.

[metallideth83]

He talks like Ray Romano

[ericwylde]

that headstock is awful :(

[aligatorsandwitch72]

Your awful.

[ericwylde]

at least my head doesn't look like gardening shovel

lol

they really should redesign that headstock

[LordOfThisWorld74]

Dude its made in the same factory that the old school collector gibsons that cost over $10,000 were made.

[Restlessgypsy86]

neuregel ; A real Gibson? Thats exactly what Heritage is! Gibson is nothing but a name anymore, and an overpriced one at that.

I just picked up his signature guitar, its Amazing!

[sinnersx1]

lo mejor

[neuregel]

why not just get a real gibson then you dont have to keep justifying your guitar every time you play or speak about it

[Wildchild880]

wish hed dial mine in 4 me

[aligatorsandwitch72]

Alex has a very smart rig

[MetalHead1965]

Heavy guitars and 13 gauge strings and still shreds like an animal!

[Nightmaroid]

How hard is that!!!

He must have the strenght of a grizzly bear in his left hand!!! O_o

[punkout7]

he is also a jazz player dude he likes the heavy strings

[dratband]

He shoulda been a Ramone. LOL

[ProgThrasher6666]

He sounds like he has a really bad cold...

[asianaxeman]

The mode 4 is not as bad as people think. Obviously not as good tone as a JVM but for a reliable solid state it's ok for smallish gigs. I saw testament on this tour in nottingham and to be honest I couldnt hear alex's guitar well, didn't cut through, eric petersen was playing the new white EVH heads and sounded awesome!

[HighZombiesRule]

Fuck you.

[djloverboy]

I use TWO Marshall Mode four amps. And Alex is right about the amp.

[mami3790]

i play heavy guitars too! haha

[TYLERMBECKER]

Yeah Lazarus AD is crazy, as well as Testament, Unearth is cool to, wish I could have seen that show

[deathmetal44]

SKOLNICK PEAVEY WOULD RULE!!!

[Xiphos68]

yes it would! I want his heritage sig!!

[chooseyourblues]

Skolnick always sounds like a nice guy in interviews. Smokin' player also!

[HurricaneTBag]

@chooseyourblues Oh he's a great guy...like THE least Metal guy that I've seen. Kinda like a Marty Friedman in that light.

[icecube0606]

@HurricaneTBag but there is no denying his metal, even if he doesnt show it

[rerun51dude]

@chooseyourblues he is a really really nice guy, i had lunch with him at national guitar workshop. very funny too.



[sweeptapper]

5:47-5:51 is great!!

[badpuppy1970]

I want that Marshall amp! Alex Skolnick rules! Top notch Guitarist!

[pimplalopimp]

i saw them 2 days ago

[Juandisimo]

I saw them last night. Amazing!

[pimplalopimp]

i thaught lasaruz was going to suck but they were crazy man

[Juandisimo]

They were dope. Very good thrash. What's did you think of Unearth?

[pimplalopimp]

the guitarists were fucking crazy man especially the one with long hair and when they came out all i wanted to do was headbang

[nakedlungfish1]

I own a H157, and I would put it against any Gibson.

[thechallengeresponse]

Great shout out for the boys at Heritage! Alex also rocks a Heritage 575 with his jazz outfit (check out their cover of 'Warpigs'...pretty sweet!).

I'll be taking my Heritage guitars to the grave!

[ThieleM]

I have to say that the notion that Heritage is JUST like an old Gibson is bollocks. Yes some of t he guys stayed but a LOT of the old luthiers left and went with Gibson. Also, there is a lot more machine work on a Heritage than a 50's or 60's Gibson.

I have found Heritage to be ABSOLUTELY hit and miss. I understand that Alex is stoked about this guitar and it looks cool but Heritage instruments are not equal to vintage Gibsons in any way.

[thechallengeresponse]

I own two Heritage guitars, a 535 and a 575 and they are both 'hits'. In fact, the only problem I have with Heritage guitars is trying to decide which one to buy next :)

[sotuph]

anyone know a good website where i can buy heritage guitars?

[ThieleM]

Heritage doesnt sell online.

[crossoveralternate]

He look nervous..

[girtha1134]

just saw testament and it was amazing watching him play 1 foot in front of me i was talking to the techs before the show and they confirmed this is really what he is using eric is running the 5150 III  got to hear sound check and got to hear there rigs with no front of house sound and effects and they sounded badass together

[MartinGuitarLover1]

I attended a Guitar clinic that Alex held a few years ago this guy is an amazing guitarist. I really liked his work in Trans-Siberian Orchestra

[ThieleM]

Budda amps are manufactured by Peavey????

[ThieleM]

What is he on? That man either has a brain injury ot is stoned out of his mind.

[christhekiwi12]

read up, he had a brain tumor.

[ThieleM]

That is incorrect. James Murphy had a brain tumor ALex did not.  Chuck also had cancer but beat the crap out of it.

[christhekiwi12]

fuck i was just messing! I never knew James Murphy had one though! Didnt chuck have cancer in his neck or something?

[ChilliandSpaghetti]

Chuck also had cancer but beat the crap out of it.

HAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHA

[lasagnalogo]

I SOOO thought Heritage was dead until just now. Wow. Okay, gotta got check it out now. Yeah, what's up with the teeth sucking?

[bluethirdwave]

i always like that he was also a jazz guitarist...this guy is awesome and he doesn't have a huge ego...i think he's great...still!!!....i think Marshalls stacks r the best too...but i'm gonna check out the buddah amp it might b a ggod amp 4 the price

[bluethirdwave]

he used to be the spokes person for the s series ibanez guitars --those super light thin guitars.he says now when he plays those type of super thin guitars "they feel like rubber bands".lol! .i played a s- series ibanez for sooooo long and he influence me. they r great guitars ...he's done a 180 now with super heavey guitars..sort of wild!wow!i still like lighter guitars but i will say now i'm playing hollow body electrics.

[bluethirdwave]

Alex Skolnick is a FaBuLoUs guitarist!!!!..i always learn soo much when i listen to him.

[gglaesemann]

B'duh B'duh ER UMMM UHH HOw frickin' awkward, what drugs are you on ALex?

[scenesfromamemory801]

Why is he sucking his teeth so much???

[toodiesel]

Long Live the Mode IV!!! Completely agree, my brother and friend have had one for a couple of years... great stock sound for metal!

[kareemb0]

That amp is 350 friggin' watts. That's insane!

[brib333]

The neck is on the thick side!!!!!!

YAA I would say so!!! It looks like a bat!!

[leugimigop]

what does it mean when they say "mint condition"?

[kingofloss1]

it means perfect condition.

[lern2swim]

It's what rock star's use in their hair after shampooing to keep their hair long, luxurious, and healthy.

[leugimigop]

are u sure?=p

[lern2swim]

Yeah, it comes in a big jug, smells like peppermint and you can buy it at the natural foods market.

(and yes, I am joking)

[GoodSmellingStink]

lol. that was the 80's. Now they use spit.

[johnnybeane]

I played some of Alex's Ibanez guitars at his apt way back in 1995.

JB

[chrisiztheman1618]

birdseye maple top? uhh its flame, nice guitar though

[Zuberzuber]

cool guitar

[BLACKMAGICMETALMAN12]

AWESOME!!!

[kareemb0]

THANKS PREMIER GUITAR! I've been searching all over the internet for Alex' gear, but could never find it.