Guitar & Bass Tabs
Molly Hatchet
Learn Molly Hatchet's Guitar & Bass Style
Discover how Molly Hatchet developed their signature guitar and bass sound, the techniques you'll encounter in their music, and the best lessons to begin your learning journey.
Molly Hatchet burst from Jacksonville, Florida in 1971, blending hard rock with Southern boogie and a muscular, arena-ready guitar sound. The original lineup—Dave Hlubek on lead guitar, Steve Holland on guitar, Duane Roland on guitar, Danny Joe Brown on vocals, Banner Thomas on bass, and Bruce Crump on drums—built a reputation for high-energy live shows and a signature two-guitar attack that defined their early records. From the start, the band’s swaggering riffs, rugged groove, and storytelling lyrics helped them stand out in the burgeoning Southern rock scene and set the stage for a long, enduring career.
Their self-titled debut (1978) and the breakout follow-up Flirtin' With Disaster (1979) propelled Molly Hatchet into the national spotlight, delivering durable hits like Flirtin' With Disaster, Whiskey Man, and Bounty Hunter. The band became a touring powerhouse through the late '70s and early '80s, earning widespread radio play and a loyal fanbase. The lineup evolved over the years, and the loss of founding guitarist Dave Hlubek in 2017 marked a turning point, yet the band continued with new members and preserved the older songs that first put them on the map. Molly Hatchet’s influence on Southern rock and hard-edged Americana remains felt in arena-ready riffs, chorus-worthy hooks, and a live sound built on dual-guitar dynamics.
Today, Molly Hatchet is celebrated for its role in shaping a bridge between bluesy rock and heavier Southern rock textures. Their songs continue to earn new listeners on classic rock radio and streaming playlists, proving that their gritty, melodic approach to guitar-led rock has lasting appeal and a timeless, swampy swagger.
🎸 Want to know what gear Molly Hatchet used, their playing style, and fun facts? Scroll below the lessons!
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Whiskey Man
Molly Hatchet
Flirtin' With Disaster
Molly Hatchet
Bounty Hunter
Molly Hatchet
Playing Style
Molly Hatchet’s playing style centers on a powerful duel-lead guitar approach, reinforced by thick rhythm guitar parts and a tight, pounding groove from bass and drums. The guitar work often features blues-based riffs, chunky power chords, and bold, ringing lead licks that trade phrases in a call-and-response fashion. Expect energetic alternate-picking passages, expressive bends, and a strong emphasis on dynamics—from loud, saturated chorus sections to crisp, singable verse lines. The bass and drums provide a bulldozing foundation that lets the guitars breathe on long solos and quick-fire fills, creating the signature swampy, hard-edged sound that fans associate with their classics.
🎸 Gear & Equipment
In the era that defined Molly Hatchet, players leaned on sturdy, tube-driven rigs to push their tone over the PA. The band’s look and sound were shaped by solid-body guitars (notably Gibson-style les Pauls and similar workhorse models) paired with humbucker pickups for thick, sustaining tones. Amplification favored loud, responsive stacks from brands like Marshall and other tube-friendly amps, with a touch of analog modulation and delay to widen solos and intro motifs. The goal was a punchy, midrange-forward voice that could cut through a live mix without losing warmth, paired with dependable effects like chorus or subtle flange to widen lead lines on certain tracks.
Why Learn Molly Hatchet Songs?
Learning Molly Hatchet tunes on guitar builds foundational rock skills that stay with you. Players develop solid rhythm chops through palm-muted chugging, power-chord progressions, and tight groove work that drives the song forward. The dual-lead guitar texture teaches you to listen and respond—an essential rock skill—while the melodic solos cultivate phrase-length control, bending, and phrasing that soar without losing musical clarity. These songs sit at an intermediate level, offering a satisfying challenge for developing players and a rewarding project for intermediate players seeking to expand their repertoire with classic, arena-ready riffs and tight live-feel licks.
Did You Know?
- 1Molly Hatchet formed in Jacksonville, Florida in 1971 and became a cornerstone of Southern rock.
- 2The band’s hallmark is the dual-lead guitar attack, pioneered by Dave Hlubek and Duane Roland, which defined their signature sound.
- 3Flirtin' With Disaster remains the band’s enduring anthem and a staple on classic rock radio.
- 4Live performances from Molly Hatchet were famous for high-energy guitar duels and extended jams that impressed hard-rock audiences.
3 Molly Hatchet lesson(s) available — Start learning today!
Learn to Play Molly Hatchet Guitar
Explore Molly Hatchet 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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