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Alice in Chains - Down In A Hole Unplugged - Guitar Lesson

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Alice in Chains - Down In A Hole Unplugged - Guitar Lesson

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Alice in Chains - Down In A Hole Unplugged guitar lesson video
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Alice in Chains Grunge E minor
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Down In A Hole Unplugged

"Down In A Hole Unplugged" is an acoustic rendition of Alice in Chains' power ballad originally released as the fifth single from their acclaimed 1992 album Dirt. Written by guitarist Jerry Cantrell for his then-girlfriend, the song showcases his ability to blend melodic vulnerability with heavy rock sensibility. The unplugged version strips the arrangement down, making it an excellent study in clean-tone fingerpicking, open chord voicings, and the signature dark harmonic language that defines Alice in Chains' guitar style.

  • Jerry Cantrell wrote the original song for his then-girlfriend, giving its melancholic chord progressions a strong personal emotional foundation.
  • The original single spent 21 weeks on Billboard's Album Rock Tracks chart, peaking at number 10.
  • The acoustic format highlights Cantrell's understated picking technique, a useful contrast to his heavier, distortion-driven playing style on Dirt.
Gibson Les Paul Standard
Guitar

Gibson Les Paul Standard

Jerry Cantrell's Les Paul Standard delivers the open, dynamic PAF-style humbucker tone that defines Alice In Chains' heavier material. The moderate output and natural resonance allow his riffs to cut through with clarity while maintaining the compressed crunch his amps provide.

Gibson Les Paul Custom
Guitar

Gibson Les Paul Custom

Cantrell favors the Les Paul Custom for its sustain and tonal warmth, using stock Gibson humbuckers that push his Bogner and Friedman preamps into that signature scooped-mid aggression. The Custom's weight and construction give his drop-tuned riffs the body and presence essential to Alice In Chains' sound.

ESP Eclipse
Guitar

ESP Eclipse

The ESP Eclipse became Cantrell's live and studio workhorse during the reunion era, offering reliability and consistent output for his articulate, tight distortion tone. Its modern craftsmanship paired with quality humbuckers delivers the clarity needed for Alice In Chains' intricate riff work.

Marshall JCM800
Amp

Marshall JCM800

The Marshall JCM800 provides the raw, compressed crunch that influenced Alice In Chains' early heaviness, offering tight low-end aggression when pushed by Cantrell's high-output pickups. Its natural breakup characteristics contribute to the band's signature sludgy yet articulate distortion.

Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier
Amp

Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier

The Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier's thick, scooped midrange and tight bass response align perfectly with Cantrell's need for articulate, aggressive distortion that doesn't lose definition in drop-tuned passages. Its headroom allows his dynamics to shine through heavy compression.

Dunlop Cry Baby Wah
Pedal

Dunlop Cry Baby Wah

Cantrell's Cry Baby is his primary tone-shaping tool, famously parked in positions for the haunting filter effect on 'Man in the Box' and used expressively throughout Alice In Chains' catalog. The wah adds emotional color and presence to his otherwise direct, amp-focused signal chain.

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