Guns N’ Roses guitarist Richard Fortus experienced a truly “grizzly sight” during a recent performance in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, when the intense heat caused the wax in his Gretsch signature guitar pickups to melt. The unprecedented incident occurred during the band’s globe-trotting tour, highlighting the extreme conditions faced by musicians on the road.
Unprecedented Meltdown: Guitarist’s Pickups Ooze Mid-Show
Photos shared by Fortus post-show revealed a strange, dark substance oozing from the humbucker mounts of his custom Gretsch Falcon.
While initially appearing alarming, Fortus clarified on Instagram that it was indeed the wax used to pot the pickups, a common practice to minimize unwanted vibrations and feedback. Still, the visual was striking, with the molten wax dripping down the guitar body like “something from the Alien franchise.”
“Well, this is a first,” Fortus captioned his Instagram post. “It was so hot in Saudi Arabia that the wax in my pickups melted!” He also extended gratitude to the enthusiastic Saudi fans for a “great time.”
Battling the Blistering Desert Temperatures
The incident took place at the Mohammed Abdu Arena in Riyadh, the seventh stop on the band’s current tour. Despite efforts to mitigate the sweltering conditions, including a stage time of 10 PM in hopes of cooler temperatures, the heat proved relentless. Daytime temperatures in Riyadh had reportedly soared to 113º Fahrenheit (45º Celsius).
The Science Behind the Melt: A Gruesome Glimpse into Gig Conditions
The wax typically used in guitar pickups is an 80/20 mix of paraffin and beeswax. Paraffin wax has a melting point ranging from approximately 115-154º Fahrenheit (46-68º Celsius), offering a stark indication of just how hot the stage environment became during the Guns N’ Roses Saudi Arabia concert.
This bizarre event underscores the extreme demands placed on musical equipment and performers in challenging climates.
Gretsch Guitars
For Fortus, whose two signature Gretsch models – a vintage white Bigsby-equipped G6636T and a black V-Stoptail-styled G6636 – are designed specifically for Guns N’ Roses live shows, the melted pickups were an unexpected testament to the band’s “white-hot rock ‘n’ roll.”
Gretsch at Andertons
Gretsch G6636-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon Centre Block in Black with Stoptail
Gretsch G6636T-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon Centre Block in Vintage White with Bigsby
Gretsch at Sweetwater
Gretsch G6636-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon Centre Block in Black with Stoptail
Gretsch G6636T-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon Centre Block in Vintage White with Bigsby
Gretsch at Thomann
Gretsch G6636-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon Centre Block in Black with Stoptail
Hot Tone
Fortus has previously stated that his Gretsch guitars serve as the perfect sonic counterpart to Slash’s iconic Les Pauls, making them integral to the band’s live sound.
While the melted wax offered a less-than-ideal “sales pitch” for his signature models, it certainly created a memorable moment for the Guns N’ Roses Riyadh show.
Have you ever witnessed extreme conditions impacting a live performance? Share your experiences in the comments below!
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