Guns N' Roses - Knockin' on Heaven's Door - Guitar Tab

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Guns N' Roses - Knockin' on Heaven's Door - Guitar Tab

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Use Your Illusion II album cover
Use Your Illusion II
1991 5:36
Capo Advisor 0 G major · Original key

Knockin' on Heaven's Door


"Knockin' on Heaven's Door" by Guns N' Roses is a rock cover of Bob Dylan's iconic 1973 song, originally written for the film Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid. Guns N' Roses transformed the stripped-down original into a full electric guitar arrangement, making it one of the most recognized covers in rock history. The song is an excellent choice for electric guitar learners, offering accessible chord structures alongside expressive lead and rhythm opportunities.

  • The original song was written by Bob Dylan for the 1973 Western film Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid.
  • The track runs approximately 5 minutes 36 seconds, giving guitarists extended time to explore dynamics and tone.
  • The song has been covered by numerous artists including Eric Clapton and Randy Crawford, showing its broad musical appeal.
Gibson Les Paul Standard
Guitar

Gibson Les Paul Standard

Slash's weapon of choice, particularly late-'50s specs with mahogany bodies that deliver the thick, singing tone heard throughout 'Appetite for Destruction.' The Les Paul's weight and sustain complement his cranked Marshall, allowing solos to bloom with harmonic richness.

Gibson Les Paul Custom
Guitar

Gibson Les Paul Custom

Offering a slightly different tonal character with a thinner body profile, the Custom gives Slash an alternative voice while maintaining the Les Paul's core warmth and sustain essential to his signature lead sound.

Marshall JCM800
Amp

Marshall JCM800

The split-channel JCM 800 2205 defines Slash's crunch, delivering natural tube saturation and midrange presence without artificial scooping, crucial for maintaining clarity in heavily driven passages.

Marshall Plexi (1959 Super Lead)
Amp

Marshall Plexi (1959 Super Lead)

Modified 1959 Super Lead amps pushed hard created the iconic raw power and harmonic distortion of 'Appetite for Destruction,' with power tube breakup that shaped GNR's raw, blues-rooted rock sound.

Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro
Pickup

Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro

These lower-output Alnico II humbuckers retain dynamic expressiveness even when the Marshall is cranked, producing a warm, slightly soft attack that makes Slash's tone creamy rather than harsh.

Dunlop Cry Baby Wah
Pedal

Dunlop Cry Baby Wah

Slash's signature SW-95 wah adds vocal expression to solos like 'Civil War' and 'Estranged,' staying true to his minimalist pedalboard philosophy where tone comes primarily from guitar and amp interaction.

Play with Backing Track

Play with Backing Track

Solo (Backing Track)

Solo (Backing Track)