Welcome back to Guitardoor.com, where we celebrate the players whose technical brilliance is matched only by their passion for a great song. Today, we plug in with one of the most respected, technically gifted, and genuinely beloved guitar heroes of all time: the incredible Paul Gilbert. From the blistering neo-classical speed of Racer X to the multi-platinum, song-oriented success of Mr. Big and a long and brilliant solo career, Gilbert is a complete musician, renowned for his phenomenal picking, his deep love for pop melody, and a joyous, often humorous, approach to his instrument.
Pop Hooks and Power Drills
Paul Gilbertās musical style is a unique and thrilling blend of two seemingly opposite worlds: the jaw-dropping, high-octane virtuosity of 80s shred and a deep, sincere appreciation for classic pop-rock songwriting. With his early band Racer X, he unleashed a torrent of no-holds-barred speed metal, full of intricate, harmonized leads and breathtaking technical displays.
With the supergroup Mr. Big, he channelled his immense talent into a more song-focused, blues-infused hard rock, crafting powerful riffs and perfectly constructed, memorable solos that always served the song. His prolific solo career has been a brilliant exploration of all his passions, from intense instrumentals to beautifully crafted, vocal-driven pop-rock, proving that incredible technique and a great hook can not only coexist but can elevate each other to new heights.
Anatomy of a Picking Master
The legend of Paul Gilbert is built on a foundation of one of the most precise and devastatingly effective picking hands in history.
The Alternate Picking King: He is the undisputed benchmark for clean, powerful, and incredibly fast alternate picking. His ability to execute complex, string-skipping arpeggios and blistering scale sequences with flawless clarity and precision is legendary and has been the subject of study for guitarists for decades.
The Power Drill: In a brilliant display of showmanship and creativity, Gilbert is famous for his use of a cordless power drill with picks attached to the bit. He uses this to achieve an unbelievably fast and aggressive tremolo-picking effect, a trick that has become an iconic and beloved part of his live shows.
Musical Versatility: Beyond the speed, he is a master of a wide and expressive vibrato, soulful slide playing, and a melodic phrasing that is deeply informed by his love for classic pop.
His choice of gear is one of the most famous and enduring partnerships in the guitar world. He is inextricably linked with Ibanez Guitars and his iconic PGM (Paul Gilbert Model) signature series. These guitars are instantly recognizable by their unique, painted-on “F-holes,” a quirky visual nod to traditional hollow-body guitars on a high-performance solid-body instrument.
His tone is a classic, pure, and powerful rock sound. He is a famous devotee of Marshall and Laney tube amplifiers, known for running them loud to get a natural, crunchy, and articulate “brown sound.” He uses a minimal amount of effects, often just a touch of delay or a phase shifter, allowing the pure tone of his guitar and his incredible technique to do the talking.
Essential Gilbert: The Shred and the Song
Paul Gilbert’s massive discography is a masterclass in versatility, technique, and pure fun. To get a sense of his incredible range, these three tracks from his different projects are essential listening.
“Scarified” (by Racer X)
This is the ultimate instrumental statement from the early days of shred. A relentless and jaw-dropping neo-classical epic, “Scarified” is a showcase for the incredible, harmonized twin-lead attack of Gilbert and fellow virtuoso Bruce Bouillet. It is a benchmark for technical guitar playing, full of blistering alternate picking, sweep arpeggios, and pure, unadulterated speed.
“Colorado Bulldog” (by Mr. Big)
A heavy, groovy, and powerful fan-favourite, this track is a perfect example of his work in a band context. The riff is tough and memorable, and the solo is a brilliant blend of bluesy, swaggering phrases and jaw-dropping bursts of speed, famously culminating in his iconic power drill attack. It’s pure, high-energy rock and roll.
“Get Out of My Yard”
The title track from his acclaimed solo instrumental album is Paul Gilbert in his purest form. It’s a fun, aggressive, and outrageously technical piece that perfectly encapsulates his mature styleāit’s melodic, quirky, and filled with absolutely mind-bending guitar licks that are as impressive as they are entertaining.
Paul Gilbert is one of the most accomplished and musically joyful guitarists of his generation. He is a true pioneer who proved that one could be a world-class virtuoso without sacrificing a sense of humour or a love for a great song. As a beloved and highly influential guitar educator, his infectious passion and his brilliant, articulate teaching style have inspired countless players to pick up the guitar, practice hard, and, most importantly, have fun.
Cover Photo Credit “Paul Gilbert 1” by matt barsden is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
