Guitar & Bass Tabs
Stone Temple Pilots
Learn Stone Temple Pilots's Guitar & Bass Style
Discover how Stone Temple Pilots developed their signature guitar and bass sound, the techniques you'll encounter in their music, and the best lessons to begin your learning journey.
Stone Temple Pilots burst onto the early-’90s rock scene with a bruising yet melodic sound that helped redefine post-grunge. Formed in San Diego in 1989 by guitarist Dean DeLeo, bassist Robert DeLeo, drummer Eric Kretz, and vocalist Scott Weiland, the group started life as Mighty Joe Young before adopting their unforgettable moniker. Their rugged blend of heavy riffs, sly hooks, and blunt, road-tested swagger quickly captured a generation of listeners and set a template for guitar-driven alternative rock. Their debut album Core (1992) and the follow-up Purple (1994) turned them into radio staples, earning multi-platinum sales and major award attention while influencing a wave of bands with their muscular grooves and memorable melodies.
Over the years STP navigated lineup changes and periods of hiatus, with Weiland's charismatic but turbulent era giving way to later collaborations with other vocalists, including Chester Bennington. The DeLeo brothers' intertwined guitar-and-bass approach became a defining feature, marked by heavy, down-tuned riffs, soaring choruses, and a groove-first sensibility that bridged grunge, hard rock, and classic rock. Even as rock landscapes shifted, STP's influence remained evident: songs like Interstate Love Song, Plush, and Vasoline became touchstones for a generation of players, while the band's ongoing work continued to push their sound forward and inspire new generations of guitarists.
🎸 Want to know what gear Stone Temple Pilots used, their playing style, and fun facts? Scroll below the lessons!
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Dead And Bloated
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Sex Type Thing
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Wicked Garden
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Creep
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Plush
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Crackerman
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Vasoline
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Interstate Love Song
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Still Remains
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Big Empty
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Big Bang Baby
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Lady Picture Show
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Trippin' On A Hole
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Down
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Sour Girl
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Playing Style
Stone Temple Pilots’ playing style centers on a groove-forward approach where Dean DeLeo crafts heavy, down-tuned riffs that ride the line between grunge grit and classic rock swagger, using palm-muting, precise picking, slides, and well-placed bends to craft memorable hooks. Robert DeLeo anchors everything with thick, melodic bass lines and tight pocket groove that lock in with the drums to propel songs forward. The duo’s chemistry—tight rhythm, dynamic contrast, and tasteful space—defines the sound. Expect a mix of aggressive, palm-muted power chords, legato runs, and chorus-tinged melodic moments, with a tonal spectrum that shifts from gritty, mid-gain punch to more expansive, chorus-drenched textures on the slower tracks.
🎸 Gear & Equipment
Iconic Stone Temple Pilots gear centers on Dean DeLeo’s guitar work and Robert DeLeo’s bass, both fed through flexible tube-amp setups that give punchy lows and cutting mids. You’ll hear thick, humbucker-driven tones, occasional use of down-tuned strings for weight, and modulation like chorus or delay to widen melodic lines. The bass sound is notably punchy and groovy, often front-and-center in the mix to drive the groove. While gear usage has evolved, the band’s signature sound has relied on versatile amps and a tasteful pedal palate—chorus, delay, and subtle effects—to transition between tight riffs and expansive, melodic choruses.
Why Learn Stone Temple Pilots Songs?
Learning Stone Temple Pilots songs equips you with essential rock fundamentals: tight rhythm playing, groove-based timing, and memorable melodic hooks. The 15 lessons cover riff-driven staples alongside more atmospheric tracks, offering a balanced challenge for intermediate players. You’ll develop their groove-centric approach—accurate palm muting, precise dynamics, and effective use of space—while building confidence with both aggressive, driving sections and more melodic, chorus-laden passages. These tracks form a solid foundation for any guitarist aiming to master 90s alt-rock and beyond.
Did You Know?
- 1STP formed in San Diego in 1989 under the name Mighty Joe Young before adopting their iconic moniker.
- 2Their breakthrough album Core (1992) helped define the post-grunge era and produced enduring hits.
- 3The band has featured multiple vocalists over the years, including Scott Weiland and Chester Bennington.
- 4Interstate Love Song remains a staple of 90s rock radio and a showcase of their blend of melody and grit.
15 Stone Temple Pilots lesson(s) available — Start learning today!
Learn to Play Stone Temple Pilots Guitar
Explore Stone Temple Pilots 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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