Guitar & Bass Tabs
LA Guns
About LA Guns
L.A. Guns emerged from the Los Angeles hard rock and glam metal scene in 1983, formed by guitarist Tracii Guns. They quickly built a reputation in the club circuit on the Sunset Strip, delivering punchy riffs, melodic hooks, and a swaggering live show that defined a moment in late-80s metal. Their self-titled debut album arrived in 1988, featuring Sex Action and helping establish them as one of the key bands of the LA metal wave.
Over the years, the band has undergone multiple lineup changes, with Phil Lewis stepping in as vocalist and keeping the L.A. Guns flame alive through the 1990s and beyond. The 1991 album Cocked & Loaded highlighted The Ballad of Jayne and cemented their mainstream footprint, while ongoing reunions and new material have kept the classic LA Guns sound relevant for new generations of players.
Today, L.A. Guns remains a touchstone for readers of DadRock Tabs, representing timeless hard rock guitar craft, fearless riffs, and a legacy that continues to influence many of today’s hard rock and metal players.
🎸 Want to know what gear LA Guns used, their playing style, and fun facts? Scroll below the lessons!
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No Mercy
LA Guns
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One More Reason
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Electric Gypsy
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Bitch Is Back
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Slap In The Face
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Rip And Tear
LA Guns
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Sleazy Come Easy Go
LA Guns
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Never Enough
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Malaria
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Wheels Of Fire
LA Guns
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I Wanna Be Your Man
LA Guns
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Kiss My Love Goodbye
LA Guns
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Crystal Eyes
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Dirty Luv
LA Guns
View Tab →Playing Style
L.A. Guns' playing style centers on high-energy, guitar-driven hard rock with big melodic hooks, dual-guitar textures, and blues-based phrasing. Expect punchy rhythm parts built on power chords and palm-muted chugging, paired with soaring, bluesy lead lines and occasional swaggering harmonized solos. The band's sound leans on catchy chorus riffs, precise alternate picking, and tight groove, with a flair for melody that keeps even heavy riffs memorable. The live energy and guitar interplay, especially in two-guitar arrangements, give their songs a stadium-ready bite while staying rooted in classic rock tonality.
🎸 Gear & Equipment
Iconic gear associated with L.A. Guns centers on late-80s hard rock staples: Gibson Les Paul-style solid-body guitars and Fender Stratocasters through Marshall and Mesa/Boogie amps, delivering thick midrange crunch and soaring lead tones. Effects pedals like chorus and phase shifters were commonly used to widen guitars, along with overdrive/distortion pedals for grit. The dual-guitar approach also favored melodic harmonies and tight rhythm parts that became a signature of their sound.
Why Learn LA Guns Songs?
Learning L.A. Guns tunes offers a clear path to building solid rock rhythm, riff-writing, and expressive lead phrasing. Songs like Sex Action provide approachable but rewarding practice in power chords, palm muting, and fast alternate picking, while Cocked & Loaded era material introduces melodic bends and harmonized solos. The difficulty is approachable for intermediate players, but the groove and tone demands require clean technique and timing, making these tracks excellent foundations for rock rhythm guitar and stage-ready style.
Did You Know?
- 1Tracii Guns briefly co-founded what became Guns N' Roses before Slash joined.
- 2They helped define the Sunset Strip glam metal wave of the late 80s.
- 3The Ballad of Jayne from 1991 became one of their enduring anthems and a staple of early 90s rock radio.
- 4Despite multiple lineup changes, L.A. Guns' riffs and hooks keep the classic LA metal spirit alive for new generations.
14 LA Guns lesson(s) available — Start learning today!
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