Charvel vs. ESP - Levin vs. Lynch

[atomic charvel guy]

i'll tell you what , everyone has always said how similar warren De Martini and george were, are, whatever, but i always thought warren was
a lot tastier than george, and then george actually got tastier as the years went on. i dont know, that's my type of music, something that's catchy with a groove, hooks and a little lightning sprinkled on it. Being the youngest of 8 kids and growing up on a steady diet of everything from zeppelin,and hendrix, to stevie wonder
and funk, i got to love all kinds of music. gotta keep your ears open, or you miss out on some great stuff.

[Torment Leaves Scars]

Most of the bands you just named can at least play their old classic songs live. George can't do it. The evidence that he can't is all over Youtube. You have no evidence to back your contention that he hasn't regressed. If you aren't a fan I'm not sure why you'd argue a point that is refuted by all the current evidence. I AM a fan of Lynch but he ain't what he used to be. You saying maybe he doesn't care is a non-answer, because it doesn't matter why, if he can't cut it anymore, he just can't.

If you are saying he COULD rebuild his chops if he wanted to, well maybe that is possible - but he CAN'T play his own stuff properly as it stands today. If you think otherwise, find some current clips of him playing TODAY where he nails his own stuff. Believe me, I'd be glad to see that.

And YouTube is your proof? Gimme a break, dude. Dokken got a new guitarist. One video was posted. George doesn't have the stage anymore, Levin does. Do you really think the sound guy is gonna turn up Lynch's guitar and turn down Levin's? Dokken ain't gonna showcase his old guitarist over his new one, dude.

I don't believe for a second that he can't cut it anymore. If you do, great, but I don't. I listened to "Smoke and Mirrors" last night, and while I don't care for the record itself, I don't see any sign of lacking on the guitar.

[VitaminG]

And YouTube is your proof? Gimme a break, dude. Dokken got a new guitarist. One video was posted. George doesn't have the stage anymore, Levin does. Do you really think the sound guy is gonna turn up Lynch's guitar and turn down Levin's? Dokken ain't gonna showcase his old guitarist over his new one, dude.

lerxstcat isn't talking about this one video. Did you see George on Headbanger's Ball? How about any of the many YT videos of him playing recent clinics or concerts? Some of the guys here actually mentioned seeing him live recently. So no one is basing their opinion on this sole Dokken performance

[Torment Leaves Scars]

lerxstcat isn't talking about this one video. Did you see George on Headbanger's Ball? How about any of the many YT videos of him playing recent clinics or concerts? Some of the guys here actually mentioned seeing him live recently. So no one is basing their opinion on this sole Dokken performance

Dude, I didn't even know Headbangers Ball was still on TV LOL

[VitaminG]

Dude, I didn't even know Headbangers Ball was still on TV LOL

yea, it is, but I fucked up. I meant That Metal Show. George sat in on an episode and played them out to ad breaks.

[guitarzan_josh]

yea, it is, but I fucked up. I meant That Metal Show. George sat in on an episode and played them out to ad breaks.

You know what else is odd??? When Paul Gilbert was on there his playing was not so hot either.. almost like he was doing scales and just repeating 3 and 4 note phrasings. Eh.. just being lazy I guess. The one who I liked most on there was Doug Aldrich (my new favorite player). Worst....Gilby Clarke. LOL

[Torment Leaves Scars]

You know what else is odd??? When Paul Gilbert was on there his playing was not so hot either.. almost like he was doing scales and just repeating 3 and 4 note phrasings. Eh.. just being lazy I guess. The one who I liked most on there was Doug Aldrich (my new favorite player). Worst....Gilby Clarke. LOL

Well, I did a YouTube search for videos of George Lynch, and I couldn't find ANYTHING to back up a claim that he could no longer play, or wasn't capable of playing the stuff he did in the 80s. You don't forget how to ride a bike. Just sayin'...

[SausageofPower]

A lot of criticism of George is based around something that's always been true of his playing: He doesn't memorize his solos, for the most part. The difference is, whereas in 1995 and prior he had the ear to do Jimmy Page-esque "running up alleys" improvisation that sounded impressive 95% of the time, now...he doesn't. Whether that's technical ability or just a bum ear is completely subject to debate.

Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if his admitted steroid abuse/body building led to some injury or issue that precludes him from being as great as he once was. Then again, the man is also 57 nearly. Not a whole lot of 80's shredders are on the same level that they were (aside from the ones that started insane young, ala Zakk or Paul Gilbert). That being said, I love George and he'll always be an inspiration.

He did do a decent job playing "Into the Fire" with Steel Panther btw, check it out on Youtube. Jeff Pilson was there too. Poor, poor Jeff...

[Torment Leaves Scars]

A lot of criticism of George is based around something that's always been true of his playing: He doesn't memorize his solos, for the most part. The difference is, whereas in 1995 and prior he had the ear to do Jimmy Page-esque "running up alleys" improvisation that sounded impressive 95% of the time, now...he doesn't. Whether that's technical ability or just a bum ear is completely subject to debate.

Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if his admitted steroid abuse/body building led to some injury or issue that precludes him from being as great as he once was. Then again, the man is also 57 nearly. Not a whole lot of 80's shredders are on the same level that they were (aside from the ones that started insane young, ala Zakk or Paul Gilbert). That being said, I love George and he'll always be an inspiration.

He did do a decent job playing "Into the Fire" with Steel Panther btw, check it out on Youtube. Jeff Pilson was there too. Poor, poor Jeff...

I knew George was doing bodybuilding but I didn't know he abusing steroids. You're right, this could have certainly affected his playing. It could be a muscle thing, or even maybe something in his brain that's caused difficulty with playing the way he used to.

I don't think the shredders have decreased in ability or talent, but have just gotten bored with it and have moved on to other things. Let's be honest, who wants to play the same type of music for the course of their lives? I love Metal, but I'd also like to play other styles. While Metal will ALWAYS be my favorite, that's not to say I don't want to learn now to play things I don't really like.

[SausageofPower]

I knew George was doing bodybuilding but I didn't know he abusing steroids. You're right, this could have certainly affected his playing. It could be a muscle thing, or even maybe something in his brain that's caused difficulty with playing the way he used to.

He's admitted in several interviews that his bodybuilding led to decreased playing ability, due to static cramps developing in his forearms during extended solos like "Kiss of Death." He recently admitted on Eddie Trunk's radio show that he had used steroids during his bodybuilding days. Check YouTube, that whole interview is up and well worth a listen if you're a Lynch fan. I just know that injuries to the wrists/forearms can lead to playing issues, as that's what sidelined Vito Bratta if I recall correctly.

I don't think the shredders have decreased in ability or talent, but have just gotten bored with it and have moved on to other things. Let's be honest, who wants to play the same type of music for the course of their lives? I love Metal, but I'd also like to play other styles. While Metal will ALWAYS be my favorite, that's not to say I don't want to learn now to play things I don't really like.

Oh, I'm all for diversification. I just think you should be able to faithfully reproduce what you created. Look at George in his Lynch Mob days. Different, more blue-infused playing...but on a dime he could effortlessly crank out "Tooth and Nail," "Into the Fire," "In My Dreams," "Unchain the Night," etc. These days, he can still play...but certain aspects are lacking a bit. I think it's just lack of practicing those songs really, but who knows?

[Torment Leaves Scars]

He's admitted in several interviews that his bodybuilding led to decreased playing ability, due to static cramps developing in his forearms during extended solos like "Kiss of Death." He recently admitted on Eddie Trunk's radio show that he had used steroids during his bodybuilding days. Check YouTube, that whole interview is up and well worth a listen if you're a Lynch fan. I just know that injuries to the wrists/forearms can lead to playing issues, as that's what sidelined Vito Bratta if I recall correctly.



Oh, I'm all for diversification. I just think you should be able to faithfully reproduce what you created. Look at George in his Lynch Mob days. Different, more blue-infused playing...but on a dime he could effortlessly crank out "Tooth and Nail," "Into the Fire," "In My Dreams," "Unchain the Night," etc. These days, he can still play...but certain aspects are lacking a bit. I think it's just lack of practicing those songs really, but who knows?

So this is just case in point to the inane accusations of some members that he's "lost it." Obviously, there's a medical reason behind it, so it has NOTHING to do with slacking, but the INABILITY to function as he used to.

As for not practicing the old songs he did with Dokken, why would he? He's no longer in Dokken, and it's pretty cut and dry that he's put his days with Dokken behind him. Hell, I used to be able to play all sorts of Metallica stuff, and if I go back and do it now, it's hardly as good as it used to be. I'd rather play my own stuff than play someone else's.

[Hellbat]

Yeah, but the difference is for you Metallica isn't your stuff. For George, the Dokken stuff is his stuff.

IMO I think he's resting on his laurels. He climbed the guitar hero mountain and lived near the top for a few years. Now I think he'd rather just chill and live off the glory. Nothing wrong with that. Like Yngwie for me, what he did back then will be remembered fondly for how groundbreaking it was at the time. I don't need them to crank out new stuff to keep wowing me, I can just throw on something they did in 1984 and be happy at that.

[SausageofPower]

So this is just case in point to the inane accusations of some members that he's "lost it." Obviously, there's a medical reason behind it, so it has NOTHING to do with slacking, but the INABILITY to function as he used to.

Well, keep in mind I'm just speculating. He's never said he had nerve damage/ligiment tears/etc. I'm talking about temporary cramps he had in his "Rambo" phase, and how it wouldn't surprise me if he did damage.

As for not practicing the old songs he did with Dokken, why would he? He's no longer in Dokken, and it's pretty cut and dry that he's put his days with Dokken behind him.

I disagree to an extent. Lynch Mob, especially on this latest run, incorporated a lot of Dokken songs into their sets. Plus, he releases instructional DVDs to this day that include Dokken songs. Add to that his continual efforts, until very recently, to reunite the "glory days" line up and...well. It's hard to say his days with Dokken are behind him to the extent that he could claim he hasn't played those songs in forever.

Hell, I used to be able to play all sorts of Metallica stuff, and if I go back and do it now, it's hardly as good as it used to be. I'd rather play my own stuff than play someone else's.

Yeah, but like Hellbat said, Dokken stuff is his stuff. He guided the direction of the band musically to a great degree, per his own word, so it's not even like (Dysfunctional aside) he just came in and took existing songs and added his little flavor. Sure, his musical tastes have divirsified and so on, but he wrote those songs and they were an expression of part of his life at the time.

[horns666]

....Smoke This..

..Lynch Bizkit!!..

[horns666]

Who gives a flyin' poop. Just jerkoff all over yourselves. In your moment of blissful, spastic, orgasmic climax..everthying will be ok! But then you gotta clean all that fuggin' goo ..and I hate that part!