What exactly does Paul Huge play on Sympathy?

[Dr. Who]

Was reading an old thread on this but I wanted to hear from guitarists - what exactly does Paul play on the song?

[DieselDaisy]

He basically imitates Slash's lines on the guitar solo, producing a sort of Eagles style ''speak and reply'' guitar duel. If you listen to it with headphones, Tobias is on the left channel and Slash's is centre-right - Tobias's tone is the thinner of the two. Slash's playing begins 3.06 and Tobias's 3.08 and follows in a similar manner,

Edited August 30, 2015 by DieselDaisy

[Dr. Who]

He basically imitates Slash's lines on the guitar solo, producing a sort of Eagles style ''speak and reply'' guitar duel. If you listen to it with headphones, Tobias is on the left channel and Slash's is centre-right. Tobias's tone is the thinner of the two.

Doesn't he also play at the beginning, too, then? The left channel guitar licks from when Axl sings "I'm a man of wealth and taste" to "washed his hands and sealed his fate"

and at the end, those crunchy notes on the left channel, over Dizzy's piano playing - is that Paul too, then?

If you listen to the whole song, most of the guitar work is left channel with the exception of Slash's rhythm work and solos, which is center and right. Which could mean most of the track is played by Paul and Slash, not just the solo.

[DieselDaisy]

The normal procedure is to record the rhythm work first and overdub the solo later. Slash only complained about a solo. I am listen to it now and it sounds like it could be Slash's tone but to be honest it could be just about any moderately decent guitarist as the rhythm work mostly consists of chords, played rhythmically and choppy with little bluesy fills, e.g. little sevenths thrown in.

PS

Oh I see what you mean with the guitar fills on the slower bit. Again, it sounds like it could be Slash but a moderately decent blues guitarist could play that.

Edited August 30, 2015 by DieselDaisy

[Dr. Who]

The normal procedure is to record the rhythm work first and overdub the solo later. Slash only complained about a solo. I am listen to it now and it sounds like it could be Slash's tone but to be honest it could be just about any moderately decent guitarist as the rhythm work mostly consists of chords, played rhythmically and choppy with little bluesy fills, e.g. little sevenths thrown in.

PS

Oh I see what you mean with the guitar fills on the slower bit. Again, it sounds like it could be Slash but a moderately decent blues guitarist could play that.

The tone sounds different than Slash - very choppy and funky.

Also, listen towards the end (6:45-7:09) those little solo lines and choppy bits, left channel (as you hear Dizzy playing really bluesy piano in the background, almost buried in the mix). Doesn't sound like Slash, tell me what you think.

[DieselDaisy]

Yes, I see your point with the second solo. Most of all of that is Slash - very much so - but Tobias is present. He seems to be playing little harmony licks but there is a distinct lick played at 5.20.

PS

And 6.48 - he resurfaces.

I think Tobias is probably dipping into choppy rhythm work between those times, playing little harmonic sevenths. It is hard to tell because of the mixing.

Edited August 30, 2015 by DieselDaisy

[wkuk04]

GnR always sounded better with Izzy on rhythm, although at times you have place the stereo speakers next to your ear.

[Intercourse]

He plays Slash for a mug but his bluff was called.

[NicoRourke]

I've always liked that 'answer' to Slash's solo.

Somehow though very different it reminds me of what Mike Macready (spel?) did during Siren's solo. I like the echo / delayed vibe.

[EvH]

I'va always love the "call/answer" solo too.

[Strange Broue]

This is not exactly on topic, but interesting

[Dr. Who]

This is not exactly on topic, but interesting

It's nice to hear Axl's vox clearer on that song, cause he's sort of low in the mix. His voice sounds great and utterly different than what we'd hear on Live Era and at Rio 5/6 years later. Sounds like vintage Axl there.

[-W.A.R-]

i'd love to see Slash's reaction at the time when he first heard the song and heard that answer solo

he was pretty upset about it in the interview...the moment he heard it had to be hilarious

now im gonna laugh every time i hear it just picturing Slash's possible reaction

Edited September 15, 2015 by -HollywoodRose-

[Dr. Who]

i'd love to see Slash's reaction at the time when he first heard the song and heard that answer solo

he was pretty upset about it in the interview...the moment he heard it had to be hilarious

now im gonna laugh every time i hear it just picturing Slash's possible reaction

"What da fuck?!"

[Free Bird]

I like the final version. But it was a big dick move. In a artistically way the result is great but to know what happened back then is like... "Axl, really?!"

Edited September 21, 2015 by Free Bird

[Nosaj Thing]

He basically imitates Slash's lines on the guitar solo, producing a sort of Eagles style ''speak and reply'' guitar duel. If you listen to it with headphones, Tobias is on the left channel and Slash's is centre-right - Tobias's tone is the thinner of the two. Slash's playing begins 3.06 and Tobias's 3.08 and follows in a similar manner,

Great explanation.

I liked their version. Slash's solos are brilliant. Axl sounds great. Couldn't care less about Tobias tiny guitar bits.

[bacardimayne]

I like the echo effect, if it was just the single guitar with no echo it would sound empty.