Welcome back to Guitardoor.com, where we celebrate the players who combine mind-bending technique with an undeniable sense of groove. Today, we focus on one of the most unique, talented, and rhythmically gifted guitar heroes to emerge from the late ‘80s and early ‘90s: the phenomenal Nuno Bettencourt. As the lead guitarist for the Boston-based funk-metal titans Extreme, Bettencourt stood apart from the shred-for-shred’s-sake crowd with his incredible rhythmic pocket, sophisticated arrangements, and a jaw-dropping technical command that was always in service of the song.
More Than Words, More Than a Shredder
Nuno Bettencourt’s musical style is a brilliant and high-energy fusion of hard rock power, deep funk rhythm, and pop melodicism. While he possessed the virtuosic technique to rival any “shred” guitarist of his era, his playing was always defined by its incredible sense of rhythm and groove. He is one of the funkiest rock guitarists of all time, with a right hand that is a masterclass in syncopation, percussive muting, and rhythmic precision. This funk foundation, inspired by artists like Prince and James Brown, gave Extreme’s music its signature, danceable, and incredibly tight feel.
He is also a brilliant and sophisticated songwriter and arranger. His guitar parts are meticulously crafted, often featuring complex, interlocking layers, clean funky passages, and powerful, driving riffs. While Extreme is often remembered for their massive acoustic ballad hit, “More Than Words,” their catalogue is a showcase for Bettencourt’s incredible versatility. His solos are masterpieces of construction, combining breathtaking speed and technical flash with a strong melodic and rhythmic sensibility. They are exciting, musical, and always perfectly suited to the song’s energy.
The Anatomy of a Funk-Metal God: Technique and Tone
The sound of Nuno Bettencourt is built on a foundation of truly world-class and highly unique technique. The most defining characteristic of his playing is his phenomenal rhythm. He has an uncanny ability to play incredibly complex, syncopated, 16th-note patterns with a percussive attack and a deep, infectious groove that is second to none. His left hand is equally formidable, capable of executing lightning-fast legato runs, wide-interval stretches, and his signature “stutter-picking” technique—a rapid-fire series of picked and slurred notes that creates a unique, machine-gun-like effect. He is a complete master of the instrument, able to switch from a tight funk rhythm to a blazing, virtuosic solo at a moment’s notice.
His choice of gear is as unique and performance-oriented as his playing. He is inextricably linked with Washburn Guitars and his iconic N4 signature model. This is a stripped-down, “super-strat” style guitar designed for pure performance, famously featuring a large, unconventional reverse headstock and a unique “Stephen’s Extended Cutaway” neck joint that allows for completely unfettered access to the highest frets. A key component of his sound is the combination of a Bill Lawrence L-500 humbucker in the bridge and a Seymour Duncan ’59 in the neck, which gives him both a sharp, aggressive lead tone and a warmer, more traditional sound.
For amplification, Bettencourt has used various high-gain tube amps over the years, but his classic tone was often achieved with a Marshall JCM800 or a Soldano SLO-100. A crucial element of his rig, however, has been his use of an ADA MP-1 MIDI-controlled tube preamp, which allowed him to access a wide variety of clean, crunch, and high-gain sounds. His effects usage is relatively minimal, often just a touch of delay or chorus, as his incredible rhythmic complexity and dynamic playing provide most of the texture and interest.
Essential Bettencourt: The Extreme Canon
Nuno Bettencourt’s work with Extreme is a masterclass in funky, high-energy, and virtuosic rock. To truly appreciate his incredible talent as a rhythm and lead player, these three tracks are absolutely essential.
“Get the Funk Out”
“Flight of the Wounded Bumblebee”
“Decadence Dance”
Nuno Bettencourt is a true guitarist’s guitarist, a player whose incredible rhythmic feel and deep musicality set him apart from the pack. He proved that you could have world-class technique and a deep, infectious groove, all while writing smart, catchy, and powerful rock songs. As he continues to tour with Extreme and collaborate with other artists, he remains one of the most respected, unique, and phenomenally talented guitarists of his generation.
Cover Photo Credit “Guitarist Nuno Bettencourt at South Park Festival in Tampere, Finland, June 2015 photo 05” by SebastyneNet is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
