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Slash - Anastasia Pt.3 - First Solo - Guitar Lesson

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Classic Rock

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Roll back the gain slightly and pick near the neck for a warmer, more open crunch.

Apocalyptic Love (Deluxe) [feat. Myles Kennedy & the Conspirators] album cover
Apocalyptic Love (Deluxe) [feat. Myles Kennedy & the Conspirators]
2012 6:07

About Anastasia Pt.3 - First Solo


The first solo in "Anastasia" is one of the most talked-about guitar moments on Slash's 2012 album, and for good reason: it sits inside a sprawling, multi-section track that demands patience before you even get to the fireworks. Playing in E Standard keeps everything familiar, but the solo itself calls for precise bending, smooth legato runs, and a vocal phrasing sensibility that Slash is known for in Hard Rock. The challenge is not just hitting the notes but shaping them with the right feel, controlled vibrato, and dynamic swell. Rushing through the phrases is the most common mistake, so use the Practice Toolbar to slow the solo down section by section and really listen to how each bend lands and releases. Pay close attention to the entry point of the solo, since locking in with the underlying groove before the first note even sounds is half the battle here.

  • The solo sits within a long, multi-part song structure, so knowing your exact entry cue is as important as the lead phrases themselves.
  • Expressive string bending and controlled vibrato are the core techniques: getting the pitch of each bend accurate is the primary difficulty to drill.
  • E Standard tuning means no retuning is needed, letting you focus entirely on phrasing, pick attack, and matching Slash's warm lead tone.

How to Play Anastasia Pt.3 - First Solo

Tuning: E Standard

Use the section loop to isolate a passage and drop the speed to build each section up to tempo.

Gibson Les Paul Standard
Guitar

Gibson Les Paul Standard

Slash's signature weapon, the Les Paul Standard delivers the thick, singing sustain and midrange punch essential to his tone. Its mahogany body and maple top, combined with a chunky neck, create the weight and resonance that powers his iconic lead voice.

Gibson Les Paul Custom
Guitar

Gibson Les Paul Custom

The Custom's thicker body and binding offer slightly enhanced sustain and midrange focus compared to the Standard. While less iconic than his '59 replica, it maintains the tonal character Slash needs for consistent crunch and singing solos.

Marshall JCM800
Amp

Marshall JCM800

Though Slash favors the JCM25/50 Jubilee, the JCM800 shares similar tonal DNA with a brighter, tighter clipping circuit. It produces the compressed overdrive character fundamental to his thick roar, though slightly less warm than his primary setup.

Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro
Pickup

Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro

These signature humbuckers preserve Slash's touch sensitivity by avoiding hot output, letting his aggressive picking snarl and soft passages clean up naturally. The alnico II magnets deliver warmth and smooth attack that complements the Marshall's saturation without adding harshness.

Dunlop Cry Baby Wah
Pedal

Dunlop Cry Baby Wah

Slash's signature wah pedal adds expressive funk and soaring lead accents to his pedalboard without coloring his core tone. It's an essential tool for his rhythmic funky passages and dramatic solo bends, deployed as seasoning over his cranked Marshall foundation.

Boss DD-3 Digital Delay
Pedal

Boss DD-3 Digital Delay

This subtle slapback delay enhances Slash's solos with spatial depth and dimension without drowning his tone. Its conservative settings maintain his core Marshall character while adding the slight doubling effect that thickens his signature lead passages.

Play with Backing Track

Play with Backing Track

Solo (Backing Track)

Solo (Backing Track)