Guitar & Bass Tabs
LA Guns
Learn LA Guns's Guitar & Bass Style
Discover how LA Guns developed their signature guitar and bass sound, the techniques you'll encounter in their music, and the best lessons to begin your learning journey.
LA Guns emerged from the Los Angeles Sunset Strip in the early 1980s, building a bridge between glam metal's flash and hard rock's grit. Formed in 1983 by guitarist Tracii Guns and vocalist Phil Lewis, the band quickly became a fixture of the LA scene, earning a reputation for high-energy live shows and catchy, riff-driven songs. Their self-titled debut album arrived at the end of the decade, capturing the band's raw energy and helping set the standard for late-80s hard rock.
Over the years LA Guns has cycled through lineup changes but maintained a distinct guitar-forward identity, earning them a lasting place in the pantheon of Sunset Strip rock and leaving an influence on countless players. Today the band remains active in touring and recording, a testament to their enduring influence on generations of fans and musicians. For fans who want to study their craft, DadRock Tabs offers 14 LA Guns lessons that distill the band's approach to riffs, rhythms, and solos, making it easier for players to dive into Dirty Luv, Crystal Eyes, Kiss My Love Goodbye, and the rest of the catalog.
🎸 Want to know what gear LA Guns used, their playing style, and fun facts? Scroll below the lessons!
Watch the Lesson
No Mercy
LA Guns
One More Reason
LA Guns
Electric Gypsy
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Bitch Is Back
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Slap In The Face
LA Guns
Rip And Tear
LA Guns
Sleazy Come Easy Go
LA Guns
Never Enough
LA Guns
Malaria
LA Guns
Wheels Of Fire
LA Guns
I Wanna Be Your Man
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Kiss My Love Goodbye
LA Guns
Crystal Eyes
LA Guns
Dirty Luv
LA Guns
Playing Style
LA Guns' playing blends punchy rhythm guitar with melodic lead lines. Tracii Guns's guitar work centers on big, riff-driven grooves and soaring fills, often anchored by tight power-chord attack and bluesy pentatonic phrasing. The band's tracks showcase classic hard rock techniques: palm-muted chugging, powerful alternate picking on solos, string bending and vibrato, and occasional harmonic touches that widen the texture. The bass lockstep provides a sturdy, groove‑driven foundation, while the drum parts drive tempos with a kick‑and‑snare snap that keeps the songs propulsive. The overall sound sits between glittering pop hooks and rugged grit, delivering memorable choruses and a confident, arena-ready feel.
🎸 Gear & Equipment
Iconic LA Guns tones typically come from Gibson-style guitars like the Les Paul through loud tube amps (think Marshall- or Mesa/Boogie‑style heads) with a touch of chorus, delay, and a hint of phaser on solos. The band’s leads and rhythms often rely on thick, sustain-rich tones, while the rhythm section chops through with tight, punchy bass and drums. This combination creates the bright, aggressive guitar sound that defined late-80s hard rock and remains instantly recognizable to fans and aspiring players.
Why Learn LA Guns Songs?
Learning LA Guns tunes helps you lock in high-energy rhythm guitar, develop confident palm-muted riffs, and craft memorable hooks. The catalog covers straightforward power-chord rockers and more melodic ballads, offering a progression from beginner-friendly riffs to more nuanced lead phrases. Mastery of these tracks builds essential rock skills—tight timing, dynamic phrasing, precise alternate picking, and tasteful use of bends and vibrato—that translate to a wide range of classic rock styles and stage-ready playing.
Did You Know?
- 1Axl Rose briefly auditioned for LA Guns before forming Guns N' Roses.
- 2Tracii Guns is a central figure in the Sunset Strip hard rock scene and the band's enduring namesake.
- 3LA Guns helped define the LA hard rock aesthetic of the late 80s and early 90s.
- 4The band's catalog continues to inspire players on classic and modern rock guitar.
14 LA Guns lesson(s) available — Start learning today!
Learn to Play LA Guns Guitar
Explore LA Guns guitar and bass lessons with a focus on riffs, rhythm parts, classic rock techniques, and practice-friendly video lessons.
Start Here
Begin with the most recognizable riffs and rhythm parts before moving into harder songs.
Techniques
Practice power chords, timing, picking control, bends, vibrato, and classic rock phrasing.
Next Step
Use the lessons below to build a practice path from easier songs to more advanced parts.
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