I think the thing that is apparent when watching Nuno play is how delicate his touch is in the right hand, but how ferociously strong his left hand is. It's really a beautiful sound that nobody else sounds anything like.
I've recently discovered this about my own playing. I have a light right hand touch but my left hand is strangling the neck. I put my buddies guitar with large frets out of tune from pushing down too hard.
He has used an older (mid 80's), RAT pedal on every rig he has had. I played with that guy ALOT back in the club days and he went through many amps over the yrs but had a ProCo RAT in front of every amp. And FYI, he could play like that when he was 19 yrs old, we were all terrified of him back in the day..super reserved and quiet, when we used to do gigs, he would be back stage for hours with a little amp and his guitar, practicing, I never saw him without a guitar in his hand..all day. Great vid buddy- J
Such a great and in depth video Michael, top notch as always! Was absolutely blown away listening to my favourite guitarist, Nuno, live a couple of weeks back. What a monster of a player!
We all as WFTP enthusiasts should make Thomas Blug (creator of the Tubeman pedal) implement the WFTP sound on his forthcoming and highly expected „Amp X“ What do you think?
@@BigHairyGuitars Yeah, I loved it from the get go and saw them on the Punchline tour, but it definitely didn't get the love it deserves. Love that dry, in your face, sound they went for on this record.
Waiting for the Punchline is such a great album. Many hours were spend trying to figure those parts out. Great tones and riffs on that album. At what point did he use those Randall signature amps? I had the chance to pick one up once, but passed on it. I kind of regret that now.
Where did you find out about the Tubeman usage? I don't remember that in all the guitar mag interviews (they always hold stuff back!!) Man, I had one of those and probably would have held on to it if I had heard he used it on WFTPL.
I saw them opening for Aerosmith (Get A Grip tour) on the Waiting for the Punchline tour with Mike Mangini in Paris, France in June of 1994. Nuno had a Soldano half stack with him. Ridiculous show btw, he tore down the house, the Midnight Express acoustic thing was especially mind-boggling. Note that in November, 1993, Aerosmith came to Paris (also on the Get A Grip tour) with Mr Big opening for them (saw that show too, it was the day after my 18th birthday)...
Nah there isn't, it's the L500, but there's 4 variants (L500C, L500R, L500L, L500XL). Nuno and Dimebag IIRC used the L500XL, but at the time it was just called the L500 or L500 Lead. Also the one that Michael is using in the video isn't a Bill and Becky, but a Bill Lawrence USA. The BLUSA pickups have no logo on top, thinner rails, and a single 4-conductor lead. The B&B pickups have slightly wider rails and a fucking spiderweb of wires coming out the pickup. But FWIW I think the BLUSA is more accurate because from the pics I've seen of Nuno's guitar, he's mostly using the BLUSA model.
@@themodernguitarist I spoke with Becky before (you can email her directly) as I understand it their current offering of pickups are Bill's original designs and the BLusa's are not and were changed upon the two parties splitting and Blusa only owns the name trademark. Both are good. I have the B&B L500 and got rid of my BLusa
The pickup is definitely the secret sauce to Nuno’s tone. The resonant peak is so far off from most bridge humbuckers. It nails that squeaky percussive thing.
Alex Lifeson was the first guy of those three to use the Lawrence in the rock/metal fraternity...if I remember correctly I had a Rush magazine in the 80's and this had a run down of everything he was using at that time, and this was the first time I heard of Bill Lawrence.
I hear a little of Ty Tabor's tone in there, probably the hifi, almost single coil-ish mid-hi foward sound. For what it's worth, a close friend of mine had a Gibson Les Paul in the early 80's that had the 500XL in the bridge and a Carvin M22 in the neck. It looked pretty wild, but it was the most balanced sounding Les Paul I've ever heard.
WFTP is in my top 10 tones. I will debate it’s his best overall sound. Although Nuno sounded really great live this last year, would love to hear him go to the Punchline tone again.
I remember reading something with Nuno saying he used a reissue brown 63 Vibroverb that had a 15 inch speaker instead of the vintage 2x10 Brown Vibroverb config. Supposedly made in the custom shop back then. He plugged it into a 4x12 but also left the 15" speaker plugged in and buried under a bunch of blankets and pillows because it sounded better with the 15 still hooked up. Miced up the 4x12. I remember seeing the brown vibroverb reissues but never seen one with a 15 inch speaker. Only the 2x10 versions which I did check out but they didn't sound like that to me. Maybe the tubeman is what was missing. Also never tried through a 4x12. I wonder if that brown Vibroverb with a 15 was a one off by Bruce Zinky?
Into the front (input), same place you’d put a tube screamer. Fender amps won’t typically have a an FX loop so you couldn’t go straight into the power amp
In the mid 80's I had a guitar with Bill Lawrence picks and it was the best guitar I ever had, but the headstock got broken and the guitar was never the same. I have a Nuno pickup, but I haven't tried it. That one sounded great with the Pedal.
The bestest Nuno tone. Thanks for doing that. Not sure the video has it nailed though - to me it sounded closer to single coil tone, regardless of the actual pickup config. Like always in the middle position of the switch. Also I kept reading on the gearslutz forums back in the day that he indeed had used a fender amp a lot Edit: okay. The inbetween tones nailed 100%. Awesome
Thanks. I think the in between tone is dead on. The straight bridge tone really needs a little more live room in the sound. That’s very hard to replicate even with the most advanced reverb units or plugins. It’s just not the same thing as pushing loud air in a room
Sorry about being "that guy" ... the pickup looks like a BLUSA, not a Bill & Becky (wider blades, no visible logo etc). The difference is kind of exaggerated in internet forum circles, as far as I know Nuno used both variants at least live, and as mentioned here has an annoying habit of sounding awesome no matter what he plays through anyway.
@@BigHairyGuitars Yes, it's the OG 500s and the proper B&B "reissues" for lack of a better term that have the bigger blades and no logo. It's a whole sordid tale of business gone wrong to delve into, but I don't think it's worth it in 2025.
Also what tipped you off about the Tubeman? Its only celeb user I know of is Kotzen on Native Tongue. Every Nuno interview from back then just mentions cranking the Vibroverb (with an EVH-style mythical unobtanium microphonic preamp tube, of course) for that natural overdrive. I found it strange, but I remember hearing a fully cranked one once and it indeed could get that kind of gain and tone.
I will say I bought a Wilde L500XL a few years ago and I love it. It's funny because I couldn't stand the L500L I put in a 90s N4 - sounded awful and I went back to the BLUSA it came with. Anyway, their current stuff is really good IMO.
TONEX & Kemper captures of tones from this video: bighairyprofiles.com/products/bhg-tonex-punchline-pack
I think the thing that is apparent when watching Nuno play is how delicate his touch is in the right hand, but how ferociously strong his left hand is. It's really a beautiful sound that nobody else sounds anything like.
I agree. Super quick and light right hand, Similar to EVH and DeMartini (IMO).
I've recently discovered this about my own playing. I have a light right hand touch but my left hand is strangling the neck. I put my buddies guitar with large frets out of tune from pushing down too hard.
consistently outstanding content on your channel. tone chasing with some cool and unusual gear... love it man!
Thanks a ton! I appreciate that!
He has used an older (mid 80's), RAT pedal on every rig he has had. I played with that guy ALOT back in the club days and he went through many amps over the yrs but had a ProCo RAT in front of every amp. And FYI, he could play like that when he was 19 yrs old, we were all terrified of him back in the day..super reserved and quiet, when we used to do gigs, he would be back stage for hours with a little amp and his guitar, practicing, I never saw him without a guitar in his hand..all day. Great vid buddy- J
Cool story man, thanks for sharing!
I love the raw, realistic band sound on Waiting For The Punchline.
When I learned about Nuno, I started to yearn for blade-type humbuckers.
Merry Christmas Michael. That is absolutely remarkable. Not my favourite Extreme album but you nailed the tones which are so distinctive.
Thank you! Merry Christmas to you too!
Man... Big fan of your tone approach and your capacity to swin against the tide of "Same Ol' Gear" YT Channels. Cheers from Brazil!
🤘🤘thank you sir!!!
Thanks a lot ! I absolutely did’nt know that Nuno uses this preamp on Waiting for the punchline ! Very interesting ! Great demo by the way !
Waiting for the Punchline is their best album!! Killer song writing, riffs, solos, bass, drums, production and even the singing and lyrics!!
I think Pat is very underrated as a bass player. He delivers AND sings
@ absolutely and his tone on this album is perfect!
It’s still my favorite extreme record.
Such a great and in depth video Michael, top notch as always! Was absolutely blown away listening to my favourite guitarist, Nuno, live a couple of weeks back. What a monster of a player!
Opening song just rocks. Always love your reviews but I am here to first hear your opening track. Very inspiring
Very nice of you to say! Thank you!🙏
We all as WFTP enthusiasts should make Thomas Blug (creator of the Tubeman pedal) implement the WFTP sound on his forthcoming and highly expected „Amp X“
What do you think?
Punchline is their Fair Warning. Love that record!
It’s cool that so many people are into this album. I remember when it came out it was a bit of a shock
@@BigHairyGuitars Yeah, I loved it from the get go and saw them on the Punchline tour, but it definitely didn't get the love it deserves. Love that dry, in your face, sound they went for on this record.
This is awesome. I hope you make a video exploring Nuno's tone in Extreme III soon. 🤘🏼
Shredding!
Love the intro!
Thanks!!
HI Michael, the pickup you have there is not the bill and becky L500. The B&B one has thicker rails and it sounds warmer that what you have there
Waiting for the Punchline is such a great album. Many hours were spend trying to figure those parts out. Great tones and riffs on that album. At what point did he use those Randall signature amps? I had the chance to pick one up once, but passed on it. I kind of regret that now.
I love the point in the song “Cynical” where you can hear Nuno hit the switch on his guitar and it gives the most righteous CLINK!
Haha! Yes! I always like those “real” moments as well!
Many years ago Butch Walker told me his secret sauce was a 60’s Blackface Bassman head cranked. He said volume at about 7 was the sweet spot.
This video makes me realize again how much of a great player you are!
Yaaaasssss. I've been waiting for this episode. My fave Extreme album. Thanks mate.
Where did you find out about the Tubeman usage? I don't remember that in all the guitar mag interviews (they always hold stuff back!!) Man, I had one of those and probably would have held on to it if I had heard he used it on WFTPL.
I saw them opening for Aerosmith (Get A Grip tour) on the Waiting for the Punchline tour with Mike Mangini in Paris, France in June of 1994. Nuno had a Soldano half stack with him. Ridiculous show btw, he tore down the house, the Midnight Express acoustic thing was especially mind-boggling.
Note that in November, 1993, Aerosmith came to Paris (also on the Get A Grip tour) with Mr Big opening for them (saw that show too, it was the day after my 18th birthday)...
Nuno used the Bill Lawrence L500 pickup, I dont remember there being an x500 but I could be wrong. That pedal sounds awesome!
@@johnnyringo8174 ah yes. Sorry, my memory farted there. Thanks
Nah there isn't, it's the L500, but there's 4 variants (L500C, L500R, L500L, L500XL). Nuno and Dimebag IIRC used the L500XL, but at the time it was just called the L500 or L500 Lead. Also the one that Michael is using in the video isn't a Bill and Becky, but a Bill Lawrence USA. The BLUSA pickups have no logo on top, thinner rails, and a single 4-conductor lead. The B&B pickups have slightly wider rails and a fucking spiderweb of wires coming out the pickup. But FWIW I think the BLUSA is more accurate because from the pics I've seen of Nuno's guitar, he's mostly using the BLUSA model.
@@BigHairyGuitars Y
@@themodernguitarist I spoke with Becky before (you can email her directly) as I understand it their current offering of pickups are Bill's original designs and the BLusa's are not and were changed upon the two parties splitting and Blusa only owns the name trademark. Both are good. I have the B&B L500 and got rid of my BLusa
Going "Back to the Future" and dusting off the old gear for some blazing tone. Nice chops too Michael 😉
Thank you kindly!
Really cool video, that album has been hitting the spot for me lately. I wonder if this pedal led Nuno to his relationship with H&K amps later
If I recall my conversation with Thomas Blug about it, that was the gateway.
great vid!
While I really like his WFTPL tone, my favorite recorded tone is still the Furman PQ3 into Wagener’s ADA MP-1 v1.38 of Porno.
100% ADA is life!
The pickup is definitely the secret sauce to Nuno’s tone. The resonant peak is so far off from most bridge humbuckers. It nails that squeaky percussive thing.
Alex Lifeson was the first guy of those three to use the Lawrence in the rock/metal fraternity...if I remember correctly I had a Rush magazine in the 80's and this had a run down of everything he was using at that time, and this was the first time I heard of Bill Lawrence.
Huge fan of Nuno’s tone on WFTP album!!
I hear a little of Ty Tabor's tone in there, probably the hifi, almost single coil-ish mid-hi foward sound. For what it's worth, a close friend of mine had a Gibson Les Paul in the early 80's that had the 500XL in the bridge and a Carvin M22 in the neck. It looked pretty wild, but it was the most balanced sounding Les Paul I've ever heard.
Was thinking just the same and Nuno is a big King's X fan.
Awesome playing and tones there !! btw will you be doing any 2C+ RI review? get some cool DT chugging and metallica?
Possibly! I’m trying to get one
WFTP is in my top 10 tones. I will debate it’s his best overall sound. Although Nuno sounded really great live this last year, would love to hear him go to the Punchline tone again.
Do the new L500 pickups that Bill Lawrence make still sound the same?
Thank you Michael, always loved Nuno’s tone on that album!
Nuno used a Soldano SL60 on III Sides, not the Hot Rod 50.
yes, with a Boss Turbo Overdrive boosting it, into a GB 4x12 according to Mr. Wagner .
Nice! I always thought it was the 50. I think the 60 was an Asian made version right?
@@BigHairyGuitars I believe Mike made a low number of them in his shop before production shifted overseas. Not sure which version Nuno used.
I used to paint the nails just on my left hand, ala Nuno. Didn't fvcking make me play like Nuno at all.
I tried to get a 6 pack of abs, then after a day of trying gave up. 🤣
I remember reading something with Nuno saying he used a reissue brown 63 Vibroverb that had a 15 inch speaker instead of the vintage 2x10 Brown Vibroverb config. Supposedly made in the custom shop back then. He plugged it into a 4x12 but also left the 15" speaker plugged in and buried under a bunch of blankets and pillows because it sounded better with the 15 still hooked up. Miced up the 4x12. I remember seeing the brown vibroverb reissues but never seen one with a 15 inch speaker. Only the 2x10 versions which I did check out but they didn't sound like that to me. Maybe the tubeman is what was missing. Also never tried through a 4x12. I wonder if that brown Vibroverb with a 15 was a one off by Bruce Zinky?
Would be interesting to know if you would be able to get that sound out of a Bluguitar Amp1 as well…
So was the tubeman going into the front end of the fender or the return?
Great tone. So Crunchy
Into the front (input), same place you’d put a tube screamer. Fender amps won’t typically have a an FX loop so you couldn’t go straight into the power amp
@BigHairyGuitars aaahhh. Ok. Thanks Michael!!
That tube man has some bite
I know you’re a guitarist, but I’d love to see/hear your insights into great bass tones- Pat Badger, Rachel Bolan, etc. - from the same era.
Another AWESOME video! Love this deep dive into the Iconic NUNO! That BMan sounds great!!
i always thought Waiting was boogie.....phenomenal sounds
It’s my favorite record from them. It’s their “Fair Warning” To me its an amazing sound
Amazing into playing
Pretty sure 12V ac is easy to get since it was the eventide line standard back in the date for modfactor, timefactor, space pedals.
Ah nice! It was a nice surprise to see it on Amazon
Those are some tasty licks😎
Nuno explained this on Beato's channel months ago.
Oh cool. I’ll see if I can find that.
Bill Lawrence USA is not Bill & Becky...😉 Bill and Becky has not thin blades and resin like the USA, it hat thick blades and no resin..
IMO Waiting for the Punchline was influenced by grunge, and the blues revival happening at that time. Thicker, dirtier, etc.
In the mid 80's I had a guitar with Bill Lawrence picks and it was the best guitar I ever had, but the headstock got broken and the guitar was never the same. I have a Nuno pickup, but I haven't tried it. That one sounded great with the Pedal.
Xl500 Bill and Becky is one of my favorites.
A jcm 2000 and rat pedal will get you there it what he uses live
The Tone is in His Hands! And the Rest is the way he tweaks his amps…
…and groove is in the heart. I’m mean Groove is in the HeeaaaaaaaaAARRrrrrt!
Omg I’ve had a solid state tubeman for ages but I can’t find a power supply for it!
@@mitchellfrey I find a replacement on Amazon! I couldn’t believe it. EZ!
@ whaaaat well that is a surprise, I suppose I didn’t look too hard to be fair because I didn’t think the thing would sound that good!😅
The bestest Nuno tone. Thanks for doing that.
Not sure the video has it nailed though - to me it sounded closer to single coil tone, regardless of the actual pickup config. Like always in the middle position of the switch. Also I kept reading on the gearslutz forums back in the day that he indeed had used a fender amp a lot
Edit: okay. The inbetween tones nailed 100%. Awesome
Thanks. I think the in between tone is dead on. The straight bridge tone really needs a little more live room in the sound. That’s very hard to replicate even with the most advanced reverb units or plugins. It’s just not the same thing as pushing loud air in a room
Sounds great! Not that I need another dirt pedal, but the Tubeman is fairly inexpensive on Reverb (for now... ).
🤘😎🤘
Ratt
Haha
@BigHairyGuitars 😆 🤣 😂
Sorry about being "that guy" ... the pickup looks like a BLUSA, not a Bill & Becky (wider blades, no visible logo etc). The difference is kind of exaggerated in internet forum circles, as far as I know Nuno used both variants at least live, and as mentioned here has an annoying habit of sounding awesome no matter what he plays through anyway.
It has the logo on it, it’s mostly rubbed off or faded away now though. It’s quite old.
@@BigHairyGuitars Yes, it's the OG 500s and the proper B&B "reissues" for lack of a better term that have the bigger blades and no logo. It's a whole sordid tale of business gone wrong to delve into, but I don't think it's worth it in 2025.
Also what tipped you off about the Tubeman? Its only celeb user I know of is Kotzen on Native Tongue. Every Nuno interview from back then just mentions cranking the Vibroverb (with an EVH-style mythical unobtanium microphonic preamp tube, of course) for that natural overdrive. I found it strange, but I remember hearing a fully cranked one once and it indeed could get that kind of gain and tone.
I will say I bought a Wilde L500XL a few years ago and I love it. It's funny because I couldn't stand the L500L I put in a 90s N4 - sounded awful and I went back to the BLUSA it came with. Anyway, their current stuff is really good IMO.
everyone here knows more about tone than nuno. terrible sounding 80s multi-effect unit into whatever amp you've been paid to play on this tour
@@robm709 haha! How nice for him though. He just plugs in, and sounds amazing through just about anything.
@@BigHairyGuitars yea, no doubt!