Mick Mars, the lead guitarist of Mötley Crüe, was known for playing a Gibson Les Paul. This classic guitar model became synonymous with hard rock and metal music in the 1980s, which is when Mars first began performing with the band. The guitar itself has two humbucking pickups for increased sound output and sustain as well as a solid mahogany body and neck. It also features gold-plated hardware to give it an attractive look on stage.
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Mick Mars’ Early Years in Music
Mick Mars, born Robert Alan Deal, made his first foray into the music industry at an early age. Growing up in a small town in Indiana he quickly realized that music was something he had to do. After experimenting with different instruments and learning the basics of rock guitar, Mick decided to focus on playing lead guitar as his main instrument.
In order to hone his skills and make connections in the world of rock music, Mick moved to Los Angeles in 1972 when he was only 17 years old. There, he soon joined forces with Vince Neil and Nikki Sixx to form Motley Crue which would become one of the biggest bands of all time. Although originally starting off as a bass player for the group, it didn’t take long for him to switch over to lead guitar due to his experience with rock songs.
Throughout his career with Motley Crue, Mick Mars has used a variety of guitars including Fender Stratocasters and Les Pauls along with various amps and pedals from Marshall Amplifiers, Vox Amps and Electro Harmonix Pedals. However regardless of what equipment or brands were used throughout their discography it is undeniable that Mick’s trademark sound has been an integral part of creating some timeless tunes such as “Shout At The Devil” and “Live Wire”.
The Formation of Mötley Crüe and Mick Mars’ Role in the Band
In 1981, the formation of Mötley Crüe was made official by bassist Nikki Sixx and drummer Tommy Lee. The original lineup also included vocalist Vince Neil and lead guitarist Mick Mars. In their early days, the band developed a hard-rocking sound that entailed wild stage antics, matching outfits and long hair to become part of the LA music scene at the time.
Mick Mars’ contributions to Mötley Crüe were invaluable from day one. His raw guitar playing style combined bluesy leads with power chords to deliver a unique sound that propelled the band’s songs into classic rock anthems such as “Smokin’ in the Boys Room” or “Home Sweet Home”. He was also responsible for writing many of the group’s hit songs alongside Nikki Sixx, including some of their biggest hits like “Dr Feelgood” and “Girls Girls Girls”.
Mars is widely recognized as being an integral member of Mötley Crüe since he provided them with his signature heavy guitar riffs while maintaining an incredible ability to improvise in live shows. His songwriting prowess added another layer of complexity to their work that ultimately resulted in huge commercial success for them throughout their career. Despite suffering from several health issues over the years, Mick Mars kept on rocking for decades until his retirement in 2019 after 30 years of loyal service to Mötley Crüe’s music legacy.
Examination of Mick Mars’ Guitar Playing Style
Mick Mars of the iconic heavy metal band Motley Crue is renowned for his intense, powerful guitar playing style. He has often been credited with redefining the genre through his high-energy solos and performances. While Mick’s influence on the sound of heavy metal has been undeniable, what guitar did he use to achieve this?
Many fans have speculated that Mick used a modified Fender Stratocaster throughout his career, but there have also been reports of him using various Gibson models in live shows and recordings. The most commonly seen model appears to be a customized Gibson Les Paul Junior with an added humbucker pickup in the bridge position, which gave it a punchy mid-range tone that could cut through the mix onstage. Custom single coil pickups were installed in both positions for a broader range of sounds.
When it comes to effects pedals, Mick was not one to shy away from experimentation. Reports from former bandmates suggest he employed an array of different effects such as distortion and reverb during recording sessions and concerts alike – all these combined created his signature sound. This blend of custom guitars and creative pedal choices allowed him to push heavy metal music forward into new directions while maintaining its core identity.
What Guitars Did Mick Mars Use in Mötley Crüe?
Mötley Crüe is well known for their rocking anthems and showmanship, and one of the most essential components of their success has been Mick Mars’ guitar playing. While Mick began his career using a Gibson Les Paul Standard, he later switched to Jackson Randy Rhoads models as his primary instrument in Mötley Crüe. In fact, at one point in time, Jackson Guitars even released several models that were painted with the same blue flame paint job seen on Mick’s original Jackson model.
These guitars featured Seymour Duncan pickups that were specially designed for Mick’s signature tone, which was characterized by its razor-sharp leads and heavy rhythm parts. The most notable feature of these instruments was the addition of a vibrato tailpiece that allowed for fast pitch bending capabilities during solos or choruses. This style of playing became especially popular among metal players in the 1980s and 1990s due to its flexibility when soloing over different sections of songs.
In addition to his classic Jackson guitars, Mick also used other guitars including Fender Stratocasters and BC Rich Bich basses for some recording sessions with Mötley Crüe throughout their career. All of these instruments provided him with plenty of options when it came to writing memorable riffs or crafting unforgettable solos that would stand out in live performances. Ultimately, regardless of what guitar he played at any given moment, it was always Mick Mars’ skillful songwriting and masterful technique that made him one of the most iconic rock guitarists ever.
Legacy of Mick Mars’ Guitar Playing and Impact on Rock Music
Mick Mars, the lead guitarist for iconic rock band Mötley Crüe, has made an undeniable impact on modern music with his blistering guitar playing. His style is instantly recognizable as a powerful blend of hard-hitting riffs and bluesy lead licks that have reverberated through the decades. Through his four-plus decade career, he has played many different guitars – but what instrument did he wield?
Mars’ primary guitar of choice was the Gibson Les Paul Standard. This vintage classic features two humbucker pickups, which provided a fuller sound than single coils. It had a rosewood fretboard and slim neck profile that allowed Mars to shred faster and more effectively than most other instruments at the time. He famously modded his Les Pauls with gold hardware to get the look and feel just right for him.
But Mars didn’t stick exclusively with one model; he also wielded Fender Stratocasters from time to time as well. The combination of single coil pickups plus its offset body shape gave him access to a wider range of sounds compared to traditional Les Pauls. This versatility helped him craft some truly unique tones in various songs throughout Mötley Crüe’s catalog like “Shout at the Devil” and “Wild Side” among others.
Whether it was a Gibson or Fender (or even other models) Mick Mars always found ways to make each instrument sing in its own way – often leaving listeners spellbound by his performances. Even after all these years, fans can still feel the same power when they listen back to recordings of his incredible talent at work – cementing himself as one of rock music’s greatest guitarists ever.
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