Ernie Ball String Theory ft. Stephen Carpenter of Deftones 

Steph learned power chords at 16, called it good, and was set for the rest of his career. 😂

He's so soft spoken and down to earth. He could totally be the Bob Ross of metal guitar.

This is the only time you'll hear his guitar playing fully isolated, straight from his rig. Thank you so much for all you work, Steph. Huge inspiration for me and my band, You Arrive. Time to study some tones 🤓

One thing I've always loved about Stephen is his parts are pretty simple when you break them down, but they are EFFECTIVE.

That intro riff for You've Seen the Butcher is the most beautiful thing ive ever heard

the more complicated the music, the less ass shaking....so true muhahaha

This is the truest interview that i've ever heard from a musician. You can see Steph's eyes filled with excitement everytime he says "power chord"..

Steph wrote the soundtrack to my early adult life.

Everything he said about playing rhythm is mindset down to the point. I’ve always had 0 desire to play solos and be flashy. I wanted to get people goin nuts by laying down a heavy rhythm.

"I've always been late, not tremendously late, but, late is late" lol!! Epic.

I love the fact that Ernie Ball allowed the edit to literally have only one small section dedicated to their brand and instead allowed Stephen to speak about his path as a musician. Respect is shown, respect is deserved. Thank you for this, it's beautiful to see Stephen so openly share.

You can actually hear him play. I wish they would do the same on the Deftones youtube channel. He plays along to the songs with the backing track loud as hell.

This man is the reason I kept playing without knowing how to shred like Van Halen. Thank you stephen

Love all the riffs that Steph writes. They seem straight forward and accessible, and yet are incredibly effective and catchy. It's such a perfect balance. Deftones fan for life.

Steph is literally the most wholesome dude

One of the best episodes of string theory.

Steph is a master in minimalist yet complex riffs & the simplicity is what makes them so catchy

Deftones and Thrice will forever be the greatest of all time. I'd love for him and Teppei to sit down and talk guitars/songs sometime

He’s such a chill, down-to-earth dude. I love his story about getting fired from the taco stand and that being the moment that he knew that failure wasn’t an option. I also love his take on simplicity of songwriting and music being a spectrum where the more complicated and convoluted, your fan base and appeal dwindles but those who do follow are super-rabid loyal disciples. Love Deftones, love their music and I’m glad that I’ve finally started really digging in to their library of music, even though they were around throughout my youth and formative years of playing guitar and learning music, I always heard them in my peripheral and never really investigated them like I did for 311, it’s a shame but at least I have a new band with riff-heavy tracks to get inspired from. On a side note, this was a killer interview by Ernie Ball ST series, his pedalboard looks fantastic with all that strymon stuff on the back, and those sound city cabs look super bad ass!

Always been a huge fan of the Deftones. I remember seeing them a couple times live, but the best was the White Pony tour with Incubus. Steph's playing has always been so simple, but so damn effective.

steph is the man. it’s not about how technical you are, it’s about how good of a song you can write. and steph wrote some fucking great songs/riffs.

As a guitar player, Stephen is the paragon of the expression "If you gotta shoot, make it count" - aka - if you gotta make the riff a sonic monolith, go for it. From the first chords of "Bored" to "Ohms" Stephen and Deftones make it count with every record. 30 years going strong

The immediacy and simplicity in his playing, on top of the contrast of styles between each member, makes his riffs sound bigger than it should. A huge inspiration for a generation of players

When nu metal fell away the gods of the genre remained. To still be relevant after so many years and still put out amazing albums every single release, you can’t help but be humbled by the no bullshit approach. These guys still have so much more to give and that makes me so grateful to the band as a whole. Keep it crunchy Steph, the fans aren’t going anywhere. Big love big dawg ❤️

The part talking about Chi and their playing together really hit me. Miss that guy. RIP Chi

Such a humble guy! Loved deftones ever since..

Stephen Carpenter seems like one of the coolest dudes around. Damn good guitar player too. It doesn't have to be complicated to be awesome

I like to think of deftones as a entire musical composition just like classical. Stephen might not be a solo shredding EVH but what he does is very smart and extremely effective. Their songs are masterpieces when you look at all of the small details put into it that stephen does, such as the weird ethereal noises he makes with the tone knobs etc.

This guy is an absolute legend.

Very cool hearing the man talk for more than 30 seconds. Been listening to Deftones since the beginning. Owned 2 of his signature guitars and learned all the songs as a teenager. These guys were one of my biggest musical influences. Thanks Ernie Ball

His music is the definition of heavy and enjoyable

A literal musical genius talking about how much he loves the powerchord. I love it.

I’ve a fan of Deftones since Adrenaline & seen them countless times. Stef; along with Robin Fink from NIN, is a hugely underrated guitarist…..& so so humble. Can’t wait to catch Deftones live this summer!!

I used to listen to the first 4 albums and just play along note for note. I owe any skill I have as a player to this man right here. Thank you Steph!!!

There goes my hero. The genuine article, guitarist for the people. My life is better because Deftones. Thanks!

Sacto native here and Deftones fan since the beginning. I’ve seen them several times in venues big and small. My favorite show was on the White Pony Tour when they came back home and were presented with the key to the city. That was fricking cool.

Deftones was and still is one of the most important bands in music especially in Nu Metal and their music has inspired countless musicians, me being one of them

Deftones. All time favorite band. Bought Adrenaline the summer between middle and high school. Loved them ever since.

Steph is the g.o.a.t of heavy riff.. he is the most underrated guitarist but influenced lots of guitarist today. His playing is so unique yet so heavy.. All his riff sound so huge..

Loved watching Carpenter slowly step up his playing over the albums from -6 to -7 to -8 string guitars.

Chi was my inspiration to play bass, he still is.

Stephen and Deftones never disappoint when it comes to build simple (or not that simple) loud and heavy rock/metal music. I love it. Thank you!

When I watch him jam in this video it freaks me out. It's exactly what I do and have always done! I sit there with tone and chug, experiment. Keep looking for tones and then one note turns from boring to hypnotic. Thanks Steph! You reminded me that what I do is okay! We don't all have to be playing a million miles an hour (although I love that too) to feel something.

This is by-far the best Stef interview I have ever seen. Super good footage of him playing isolated from backing tracks or drum kits. Just raw playing. The interview was also wonderful. Such a graceful and intelligent player who has written some of the most iconic riffs in alternative metal.

I can not explain the love I have for Deftones.

One of my first songs I learned on guitar over 20 years ago was My Own Summer. Thank you Steph

This is gold 🥰 Perfectly explains why we love Deftones. Stephen is amazing!

What an amazing interview. I loved that you just him playing some riffs with no backing track. Stephen is probably the biggest influence to me guitar wise. I am forever creating Deftones-esq riffs

Love this guy. Some of the best riffs ever written.

I heard Deftones in 2006 for the first time and the songs were Bored and Be Quiet & Drive (Far Away). Now, I am fan for life knowing the whole catalog. Love you guys! One love for Chi. I am glad I had a chance to enjoy original band line-up.

Stephen has always been a tremendous inspiration to me.

Stef is a Legend!!🤘🏻

As humble and simple as can be. What a guy!

Chords like the one at 9:24 are how I define Steph's signature sound. Beautiful and eerie. He has influenced me more than any other player on this Earth.

Steph hugely impacted the soundtrack of my teenage years. Every time I think of Steph, it always reminds me of what's most important: to make music that resonates with everyone, not just fellow musicians. Listening to Deftones always reminds me that rhythm is king on guitar - that music is not about technical ability, but about 'vibe'.

I love his explanation of simple vs complicated music, because it's too true!

With Daron, Robin, and now Stephen...my collection is almost complete...I love you guys. Thanks for all the music and emotion over all these years.

I'm a believer in "less is more" and I cant think of a player who embodies that so perfectly

100% my favorite all time band. For so many reasons. Thank you Deftones for everything you have created and will continue to create!!

i love that he got that insight on what to play through a dream. that’s so beautiful to me!

This man right here is the reason why I play guitar, he is such a big inspiration to my playing and why I’m so eager to chase the passion of playing guitar. Many people just don’t understand the dynamics and his ear for riffs, that’s what makes his work so unique and special to the ear. I’ll never quit playing guitar no matter what. Thank you Steph, see you in April

YOU are my inspiration Stephen - THANK YOU !!!

"I just wanna crunch it up!" -Steph (8:01)

Stephen this is priceless, thanks for the inspiration. I grew up with your band and it's an honor to be a part of that generation.

God I love Stephen's simplicity in every way. So cool how they started the band. Stephen is a one of a kind guitarist. An amazing songwriter and rhythm guitarist.

A local band to be proud of. At 58, your perspective, propels me to try new things....,thanks

Got into deftones recently and just discovered that they're from my city and went to the same high school as me! How I've never heard of them in my teen years is baffling. These dudes rock 🤘

Absolutely loved this.. Carpenter is the living embodiment of less is more and imo is the most underrated riff king of all time.. I also love his dgaf attitude, dude is stoned to the gills 24/7 and makes no apologies.. he might be bat shit crazy and believes in flat earth, but I loves the guy... the man is an underrated legend and quite honestly, probably my most influential guitarist 🤘🤘🤘🤘

a genius. and chill af. a role model.

Yes. About time. Thank you Ernie Ball..

One of my favorite people in the business. Thanks for this great material!

12:00 is so funny🤣I love Steph. Such a cool guy

This was just incredible. Thank you 🙏🏼

Stephen has a great way of putting things

It's crazy to see Steph the age my dad was when he past. Thank you for a life time of music, brother.

Each band members go into their own direction musically but sounds amazing collectively. That's a miracle. This is the real music. They keep it honest to themselves. Enjoyable moment together. ✊🏽

❤️ guitar hero

Yes you have a great fanbase cause your music is great

Everything he says is so relatable. He nails it perfectly when he talks about the dynamic of being in a band and all the fun times etc.

This interview is simply amazing!

Stephtones has always and will still be one of my biggest influences!! DEFTONES forever!!!🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻

Thank you Stephen for always keeping me intrigued. And forever inspired. ✌️

Deftones are my favorite band and I got into guitar because of Steph

Love your music bro

He’s got the perfect mentality about the guitar that other bands need

Much respect bro!! Love DEFTONES! Your band was a huge influence in my guitar players writing.

Seeing these guys play just weeks after the release of Adrenaline was epic! The show was with Korn and Orange 9mm. Still have one of Abe's broken drum sticks that I caught from that show. I've been a fan ever since. Keep doing what you guys do. It's what you makes you one my favorite bands ever.

This was awesome. Not always easy to be simplistic, and not over analyze what's good for the song. As simple as it may appear, there is actually a lot going on at times in their songs. The combination of influences in the group and what each other brings is what makes Deftones so unique. Each of their songs has a way of creating moments and taking you on a journey. Deftones Rule!

You’re a bloody legend Steph - you make beautiful, brutal music. The juxtaposition of the different deftones members taste is what makes it great - I totally agree

Smart man. Love it.

One of my favourite guitars players

Hell yea, nice to hear Steph talk and riff out

be quiet and drive is such a simple riff but one of the greatest songs ever made imo

Stephen has such a simple way of playing and writing...but damn is his playing not only memorable it's inspirational

Legendary guitar player and riff writter. He gets such an epic distortion sound and tone

Omggg, I needed this. I love Stef so far.

you guys were one of my fav herobands since my childhood. love you and thank you so much❤️

The Deftones is my favorite band I’ve never heard a song or album I did not love. I’ve been listening to you guys since the concrete corner demo CDs I listened to on my Discman, I didn’t connect with white pony in the beginning but it has grown on me. and I heard “battle axe” , then I started searching for everything I could find. I listen to the deftones almost every time I listen to music. Thanks! Your my favorite guitarist ever, Stephen.

Deftones were the reason I picked up a guitar, first band I could call my own. Never thought I'd end up a bassist and pissing off guitarists too!

man, this is the best.... Steph is so awesome as a precision rhythm player, I'm always blown away. Those ingredients he contributes to Deftones are not replaceable. Seeing the self narrative in this way.... total respect. Deftones one of the most iconic and individual sounding bands I know.