Ernie Ball: String Theory featuring Jerry Cantrell of Alice in Chains 

His tone is ginormous. Such thick, sludgy wall of sound. One of the true heirs of Tony Iommi but super original in his own way.

Ok but can we talk about this mans lyrical ability as well? Dude is a true poet.

Jerry Cantrell... never clicked so fast !

Jerry, and Alice In Chains were such an incredibly influential band. "Dirt" is an absolutely timeless masterpiece from the early nineties.

Cantrell has always had a knack for writing riffs that are just a bit "off". They begin like any standard riff, but when you think it should go in a certain direction, it takes a sharp turn and throws you off. It's absolutely fantastic! They're not so complex that only music nerds can understand them, but they're not so conventional as to be mundane or boring. Them Bones is a great example of that. Hollow is another one. AIC and Jerry do get tons of recognition, but I feel like Jerry himself doesn't get anywhere close to the praise the guy deserves.

"Alice in Chains lived in a world Black Sabbath merely suggested."

Alice in Chains is one of the best bands ever! Cantrell is badass! Such a cool dude

This video is too short but thank you Ernie Ball for listening to many cantrell fans!

The Riff Lord. Awesome guitarist and humble bloke.

Muthafokin' Jerry Cantrell, his playing style has aged gracefully. Such a massive sound

Jerry Cantrell is a living legend.

Here's the songs he played: 0:00 Them Bones 2:31 Acid Bubble 5:57 Red Giant 7:34 Acid Bubble

Incredible tone. One the best of all time.

Jerry is our Iommi! He sure didn’t invent the dark riff but he mastered it. Iommi, Page and Malcolm are all is his playing. It’s all in there but it’s all him at the same time. Just a master of simplicity! Hardly ever lets the solo outdo the riff.

I think the thing everyone forgets about jerrys playing is how he mixes beauty and darkness. While he has crushing riffs he also creates great melodies that fit great with harmonized vocals

He’s a rock and roll treasure. Immediately recognizable tone, such a rare quality. How Randy Neuman is in the Hall of Fame and Alice In Chains isn’t, is a mystery to me.

That tone is such a meaty boi, Jerry is one of my biggest inspirations

it's hard to describe how much i respect his musicianship, he's such a great rock guitarist and almost impossible to imitate, i also like how calm and nice he usually is

Jerry "ya know" Cantrell. Legend.

Great guitarist and humble guy. He always make me smile, but then I feel sad, I see sadness in his eyes.

The thing I love about Jerry is that he was always a songwriter first, and a guitar player second (not to mention, an intelligent lyricist). Sure, he isn't the most technically savvy guitarist out there, but he always wrote really great songs, and memorable riffs - much like his heroes Toni Iommi, Ace Frehley, Angus Young. Jerry also has such a recognizable tone and playing style. Within two notes of an Alice song, you recognize his playing. Alice, to me, is the best band of that scene. Their music still sounds so fresh. Those songs are legendary and stand the test of time. Hopefully someday they get what they deserve: an induction in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which I feel is merited and overdue.

I just gotta' say it... No disrespect to any band of that era, I like all of them, but the Cantrell/Staley partnership was by far the best. I know, it's my opinion, but a majority of comments on RU-vid seem to favor them. I was 30 when Facelift came out, and already had over 20 years of listening to Hard Rock/Metal music beforehand, these guys took it to another level... Will always be a fan. by the way, I think Jerry has earned the right to have a signature Ernie Ball/Music Man Guitar... There, I feel better.

"You are that thing that shifted" Could not agree more.

Whale and Wasp. Probably my favorite Cantrell moment. Euphoria & bliss tucked into a thriving place in time.

That riff in acid bubble. One of my favorite.

Just. So brutal. He sounds like a mystic sage as the deliverer of a tone most brutal and heavy.

His tone is larger than life... Such a cool humble artistic genius as well.

Seeing Jerry mean mugging the camera whilst playing them bones makes me happy

The fact this guy is so humble on top of being so talented makes him Loved even that much more, such a down to earth and grounded dude!

I was listening to the dirt album when I got a notification for this.

he has chilled out a lot in the last few years… he became uncle Jerry!! great

Just saw them live. One of the best shows I’ve ever seen. Still rocking hard in 2019

My top 10 since 1990. Amazing player, writer, person etc.

I see Jerry Cantrell, I click. One of the most underrated guitarists and songwriters of all time, he is a legend!

Facelift and Badmotorfinger are the 2 absolute heaviest albums of Seattle Grunge

You have to love someone who plays G&L

By Far one of the best riff players, song writers and singers of my generation.. thankyou

just saw him and rest of AIC perform live 5 days ago and that's my highlight of 2019

Highly underrated. Pure tone beast, riff king. Slaaaay

Damn that opening tone!

Been one of my fave guitarists ever since Facelift assaulted my senses with the planet levelling tones he's unleashing here. I've always, always preferred guitarists who "serve the song" and Jerry is undeniably one of THE masters of this.

Great video. Jerry Cantrell changed my whole outlook on guitar. When I first heard Grind, Them Bones, Sludge Factory and Dam That River I was completely changed as a guitarist. Thanks for the video Ernie Ball.

one of my all time favourites . his riffs are undeniably heavy and memorable!

that Red Giant riff

You can see why Jerry is so loved and respected by fans and other musicians, including his own musical heroes.

What a big sounding guitar 💯

3:41 Man that part of acid bubble always gives me goosebumps...

From a drummers perspective this guy is a drummers dream. Incredible player.

Alice in Chains one of the best bands of all time #DedByDezine

Jerry cantrell =MONSTER MUSICIAN AND ARTIST !

Jerry, you are the man! You inspire to play my guitar every day.

I love all the varieties of gauges that Ernie Ball provides. I use them all on my guitars. And Jerry has such a cool style. One of the greats for sure.

I could listen to the Them Bones riff all day

He is one of the most under appreciated musicians of the last 40 yrs

His playing has such a great feeling, no need of flashy stuff or crazy no sense shredding... Just the right amount of notes, and not to mention that killer tone...

This mans music/band is forever embedded in my heart and soul. He’s the reason I picked up guitar. Their music is awe inspiring, and I can’t think of a better band in my opinion. Long live Cantrell, long live Alice In Chains, hail the mighty tone!

Even though Jerry is not really considered a metal guitarist he has a heavy ass sound, heavy as anyone, his riffs are nasty and have a serious badass vibe, love his sound, plus we are both from the Tacoma area, he is a legend out here

underrated guitarist. one of the best of the riff based guitarists. black gives way to blue is an amazing album, and of course all the staley days albums

Absolutely.. the best ax man, bar none...thank you Jerry for doing & being all that you do!! And thank you, for AIC...KEEP ON, KEEPING ON

Sludge God. Cantrell’s tone is timeless. Long live Alice 🔥

I saw Jerry Cantrell in November 2002 in Houston during his Degradation Trip tour. He went on stage at 22:45 and played until 2:30 AM. It was at a smaller more intimate venue, best concert I have ever witnessed. I try to relive that show in my head sometimes.

Looking forward to this series. Couldn't have chosen a better guitarist to kick off the premier! #AIC

The almighty rifflord!

I can still remember when I was about 13 and one of my friends had the radio on while we were hanging out. That was the first time I ever heard "Man in the Box". Up to that point, I had never heard anything that heavy in my life. Still one of my favorite songs to this day.

Living Legend

Just found this...always loved his playing. The opening riff he plays creates an atmosphere and you are sucked strait in, like a another world. Gave me a real lift to hear it again.

One of my favorite players! That man knows TONE!!

A grunge guitarist highly respected by metal guitarists back in an era when metal musicians used to hate grunge musicians. That says a lot about Jerry. Alice in Chains were never "grunge". They actually were the true evolution that many other metal bands from late 80's never reached. Alice in Chains is the "metal of the 90's".

He’s such a lovely person!! It’d be so fun to have a conversation with him

Really enjoyed the combination of interview and his playing.

Damn... looks like I’ve been playing “Them Bones” wrong all these years LOL

So cool how he got that EVH Music Man back, I love watching the 92 or 93 New Year’s Eve performance when he used it

We love you Jerry! Keep it up Brother!

I love jerry!!! So humble.

Had the pleasure of meeting him twice after shows. He is a total class act. The way he is in videos with people (gracious, humble, easy going, etc.) is exactly how he is with everyone.

Such a talent! The EVH Goldtop has some hot sauce. Loved the tone.

Man in the box.. would.. rooster..black gives way to blue..grind..nutshell ...😍

I love his sound! It's so unique and powerful. He's the main reason that I love AIC! 🤘

My guitar/musical God! I love this series. I've been checking regularly for Jerry's appearance.

The tone of mid gain and high gain running together! When I met Cantrell in London in 2009/2010 he basically said to achieve more clarity with a single amp on high gain was near impossible. So to have that metal edge he ran a high gain amp and for the note clarity he ran another amp on a mid gain setting. That is how you hear every note and not just mushy gain.

Guess Acid Bubble was just really stuck in his head on that day lol

I've been waiting for so long...

The best of the Seattle sound for sure, Alice in Chains never got enough credit at the time, but I think their music has aged better than any of the other bands from that time and genre. Jerry and Layne, that shit was magic.

Cantrell plays some crazy ass riffs while singing, he’s a genius

Badass. Love hearing him play Acid Bubble & Red Giant.

Hell yeah, absolutely killer tone!

What an amazing, introspective human being and musician. WOW!

Jerry Cantrell is an amazing artist overall. Period. Great musician, great songwriter, pretty underrated singer

Master Cantrell, too underrated

The playing, the tone, the lyrics, the voice. Such a dude.

Wonderfully touching to hear Jerry Cantrell recall his early guitar store memories. Ernie Ball as well as Dunlop are true touchstones of the industry for all of us.

I love his gritty sound! I really enjoyed this interview/video…so down to earth. I think it’s pretty incredible that someone as talented and adored as he is still seems to be the salt of the earth. When he plays, it goes right through me. I’m honored to have seen him live many times and it’s just as tight and I bang my head just as much as I did in 92. Thank you, Mr Cantrell.

Easily one of the best Guitarist of all time in my opinion

In my next life I sure hope I'm Jerry Cantrell he's got to be the heaviest sounding guitar player ever I can never turn up the stereo loud enough when their songs come on so clean and crisp and loud I'm sure grateful I still have the ears to listen

Dudes a legend, one of the greats! Such a unique player. Responsible for so many incredible riffs.

One of the most under-appreciated guitarists of all time. This guy shreds and is super chill.

Jerry's riffs are like giants who stomp a village. I swear he does not write a bad riff..and down to fucking earth..

Insane awesome tone , I ❤️this man .

When Jerry played "Its Over Now" live on MTV unplugged. That shit was fuckin badass. Great guitar player

One of the best riff writers of all time!