Inside the World of Guitar Tech: Doug Redler’s Journey with Slash
Doug Redler has the remarkable possibility to serve as a guitar technician for some of the most renowned musicians and bands globally, including The Black Crowes, Goo Goo Dolls, and Paul Simon, among others.
One of his most notable collaborations is with the legendary Slash,and Redler recently shared insights into what it truly means to be the right-hand man for the Guns N’ Roses icon.
The Daily Grind of a Guitar Tech
“With slash, I had to change his strings every single day,” Redler disclosed during an interview on Shane Theriot’s Guitar Channel. “He plays so intensely that one song can fully wear them out due to the sweat and the sheer force he puts into his performance.”
“I was stringing up to eight guitars daily, stretching the strings, and ensuring everything was perfectly set. It was tough on my hands; I often had to rest them on days off because of the workload,” he added.
A Nerve-Wracking Moment Before Showtime
Redler recounted one of his most stressful experiences: having to remove four pickup covers from one of Slash’s double-neck guitars just moments before a performance. The stakes were high when a lost spring almost jeopardized the entire show.
“During the world on Fire tour in 2015, we traveled extensively for a year,” he reminisced. “I can’t even recall how many flights we took.”
“While in Europe, Slash decided he wanted to perform a song that required a double-neck guitar. Unluckily, we hadn’t brought his along, so I had to find one at the last minute. When I presented it to him right before the show, I realized the pickup covers were still attached.”
The Pressure of Last-Minute Adjustments
“He said, ‘You need to take the pickup covers off,’ and with showtime approaching, I had a lot on my plate. This meant removing four soldered-on pickup covers,” Redler explained.
“One of my friends later told me there was a much easier way to do it, but at that moment, I was working with the tools and knowledge I had.It was hot,we were outdoors,and I didn’t have my full toolkit. I started taking off the pickguards,melting the solder,and then one of the springs went flying.”
“I was already nervous, and when that spring shot off, it landed on an old wooden stage. I didn’t have a spare spring, and I was at a loss for what to do,” he recalled.”I searched for about 15 minutes, and as time ticked away, I finally found it just in time for the show.Thankfully, it was in tune that night!”
Supporting Slash on Stage
As part of his responsibilities, Redler also had to activate specific pedals during different segments of the setlist. “If Slash was playing a lead, I would hit a boost or a chorus pedal,” he noted.
“If something went awry, I could always approach him and say, ‘Hey, man.’ He was always approachable, and I could go to his dressing room afterward to admit any mistakes.”
Recent highlights in Slash’s World
In recent news, Hollywood actor Ryan Gosling made headlines by insisting that Slash be flown in from Thailand to perform a guitar solo at the Oscars, showcasing the guitarist’s enduring influence and demand in the music industry.
