Guys, before posting mean comments, remember, I was only like 12yrs old at the time. I'd known Steve for a number of years, and we both did crazy stuff like this. There were never any bad intentions or hard feelings. Enjoy the video : )

@Timanator

3 жыл бұрын

Wonder what kind peeps would just randomly hate. It's good to hear your stories, always wondered what happened to you. Also are you in the uk? I can tell it from the accent.

@Timanator

3 жыл бұрын

Ok ur scotish right?

@casanovafunkenstein5090

3 жыл бұрын

@@Timanator you're joking, right? He says he's from Newcastle (North East England) in the first couple of minutes of the video

@michaelmoore7975

3 жыл бұрын

There are so many iconic guitars from famous players and seeing them perform often just a few feet away their guitars always seemed immaculate, really standing out, colors popping. But when you get up close or see a close up pic they look like absolute shit. From Stevie Ray's Strats #1 and #2, Steve Vai's Jems, Eddie's Frankenstein, Zakks Beast, Paul Stanley's blood-soaked disco mirrored Iceman, to Yngwie's careless treatment of his Strats (Instead of carefully setting it down, without looking he just lowers it, touches the floor and he just lets go...crash bang.... never even acknowledges it). And given the extremely rare occasion to pick one up and actually play (plunk for one and a half minutes) is a disappointment, and you think, "How can they play anything with this crap?" And that's the answer. It's _them._ They could string up some picture wire on the back of a chair and it would sound amazing. So it's not the instrument itself, but the way their own habits, style, preferences, and all the accrued mileage, the toll of the toil, and the stories it forever bears witness to.. ....player and instrument become symbiotic, DNA has been exchanged, they are it and it is them. They shine a light on each other, each recognized individually and associated with their partner. It all adds up and becomes their _signature._ They stand by themeselves in a category of one. That they have gouged out; created. And everyone else are just clever imitations.

@adambinnie1332

3 жыл бұрын

I remember seeing you as a little kid interview in a rock magazine in the late 80's? Was it Kerrang?

i’m so confused lol this guy looks 27 but talking about things ~40 years ago 😅

@PinyataSpirit

3 жыл бұрын

i was thinking just the opposite, maybe 40 years old people around you are already deteriorated. So different how people ages in different countries, environments and life style. Japanese people for example.

@georgedomse

3 жыл бұрын

He's 42, the things he talks about happened 25-30 years ago (in and after 1991).

@jallen1753

3 жыл бұрын

He not only looks young..he also acts young

@carlreynolds1111

3 жыл бұрын

Yeah confusing

@armondtanz

3 жыл бұрын

@@georgedomse he was born in '79... he was on them shows age 8. Them tv clips are late 80s.

hes living life backwards, being a rockstar as a kid, only to get braces in his later life, he will be eventually dissolve into playing tag with girls and saying ew koodies before taking his final dump in a diaper and crawling back into a . nvm

@arielsaeth

3 жыл бұрын

At least he DID go through it,most of us did not, lucky guy and obviously talented ,but it does sound a bit "the older I get the better I was"

@larrybethune3909

3 жыл бұрын

Gotta Ben Button that mojo bro! Looks like the hair is growing backwards as well.

@motchness

3 жыл бұрын

a vagina?

@Miguel23887

3 жыл бұрын

No, please... C O N T I N U E .

@meabobo

3 жыл бұрын

hahahahahahha damn dude hhahahah

idk why, but that may be the greatest lead tone i’ve ever heard.

@satorizero5448

3 жыл бұрын

Ditto

@ziggylayneable

3 жыл бұрын

That lead turn was like a cross between Steve Vai and Eric Johnson.... It was absolutely beautiful. It makes me want to kick my entire rig out the window and 15 stories up that would be a very bad idea.

@Blake_Guajardo

3 жыл бұрын

Ibanez rg son

@Rxbandit421

3 жыл бұрын

Reminds me a little of JP Ibanez days lead tone

@serph2951

3 жыл бұрын

it's the mix

"So anyway I borrowed Steve Vai's favorite guitar, and then I cut some pieces off of it...." Wait.... WHAT????

@rosegeaber7533

3 жыл бұрын

Ahahahhaaaa 🤣👍 ♥️

@AlexAfferMetallica

5 ай бұрын

Lmao right? Totally baffles me why he would think to do that to a guitar that he was borrowing. Wanna cut up your own guitars? Sure. But if someone was nice enough to let you use their gear and then you intentionally destroy it? Its just the ultimate sign of disrespect.

My God that playing at 7:35 is just stunning... note choice perfection

@FutbolLite7

3 жыл бұрын

What song is this???????????

@1010abcdefgh

3 жыл бұрын

@@FutbolLite7 improvisation I think, don't know if it has a name

@FutbolLite7

3 жыл бұрын

@@1010abcdefgh how do i find more music like this for reaal

Well, Herman Li knee's his guitar almost everyday

Most people just dream of sitting on the shoulders of these giants, let alone have the audacity at any age to vandalize their equipment 😂

Cutting up Vai's guitar while it's on loan to you...BIG BALLS.

@trendkill3333

2 жыл бұрын

Bit of a twat for that to be honest, like how can you think that’s a rational idea

@leeanucha

2 жыл бұрын

yeah crazy kid he sure was

WAIT YOU WERE THE KID IN THE AUDIENCE IS LISTENING!? Holy shit, that is awesome.

@McRocklin

3 жыл бұрын

I am : )

@nicwilson89

3 жыл бұрын

Holy shit...

@sniggity

3 жыл бұрын

That’s awesome !

Thomas Mcrocklin!!!! I am so happy to have found your channel! I was 11 or 12 years old and had just started playing guitar when I first saw you in “ the Audience is Listening” video. Bad for Good was soo impressive on me at the age I was back then. It means soo much to me to see you still playing now. Thank you for all you gave me all those years back.

@McRocklin

3 жыл бұрын

Wow thank you so much!

@jeremycarlson1189

3 жыл бұрын

@@McRocklin I remember seen Nineteen on MTV and being floored by the talent, not just by you, but the whole band. Danny's voice was perfect for that album. I would love to see a video about what happened to you after Bad4Good though. You disappeared for a long time, and I was searching for you on the internet forever. Then your solo album came out and I was like "Finally...I KNEW this kid would grow up to do something great on guitar." I know Brooks is now in Avenged S., but what ever happened to Zack? He disappeared off the planet.

"so anyway I cut some bits off Steve's favorite guitar" Oh, ok, now I definitely understand the big balls writing on the back.

McRocklin: 'these things here were a revenge by Steve Vai' Me: Wow, that seems out of character perhaps for Steve Vai, at least my impression of him... Me: [watches whole video] Me: Now I get it, LOL!

@McRocklin

3 жыл бұрын

😆

@RyanAmplification

3 жыл бұрын

@@McRocklin lol you deserved way more than what you got. Does Steve have hard feelings these days?

@odgeUK

3 жыл бұрын

@@RyanAmplification 17:54

@RyanAmplification

3 жыл бұрын

@@odgeUK you know I watched that part and it didn't register in my brain when I asked that question. Thanks man.

Thanks so much for this series Thomas!! Love hearing the stories from these famous guitars.

@McRocklin

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Greg! Hope you’re doing well buddy.

Having the mixtape from vai’s studio makes it priceless piece of history;0

This is great!! I look forward to more episodes!

Really enjoyed this. Very cool to hear about the history, keep em coming!

Damn talk about mojo

@PooNinja

3 жыл бұрын

Mojojojo agrees

@McRocklin

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you buddy! Amazing to see you here.

@remy333

3 жыл бұрын

I’m coming by the Fluff Studio to hacksaw your guitars bruh. It’ll add character and mojo!

@joshuataft5541

3 жыл бұрын

Hey fluff.your sig guitar is a dream of mine

@joshuajohnson2216

3 жыл бұрын

@@McRocklin Hi I also got a Ibanez guitar too. Mine's just a cheap Gio series EX model.

Every time I see a Floral Jem it’s like seeing my first love again lol, takes me right back to being 14 or 15, except now I’m 47 and don’t even play guitar anymore but still love em.

@McRocklin

3 жыл бұрын

Good vibes right.

@bernhardtsen74

3 жыл бұрын

@@McRocklin I still thinks its the most beautiful guitar I have ever seen!Reb Beach Voyager is also in the top 3 guitar shapes in my opinion!

Absolutely love his playing! The stories are so cool too! This is perhaps the most entertaining video I've seen in a long time!

I apologize for not consolidating my comments but I totally remember hearing about the guitar wars between you and Vai, that was all over the guitar magazines back then, Steve talked about it in interviews and he also talked about how he egged you on to destroy guitars and not treat them like precious jewelry, this video is bringing back a lot of awesome memories of when I first got really serious about the guitar. Great stuff man.

@McRocklin

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you Eddie!

Keep making these videos man. Guitar stories are always a treat

Very cool, loved hearing the stories and history!

Love the effects on the playing @7:32 And that piece is really cool. It feels Vai-ish without ripping off any particular song.

Really like the idea of this series, would love to see each guitar and hear stories about them. Yeah the Floral JEM still sounds awesome! Cheers!

McRocklin: "I broke necks of guitars when when I was younger." Me: *Shivers*

Glad to see you back in action McRocklin, Dig the content and great to see you can still shred with the best of them🤘🏼

Really great to see you AND that guitar! It’s pretty awesome that you still have it.

that guitar is beautiful because it's lived a crazy life and has so many stories behind it and that's the only way you can make a guitar have that aesthetic. a guitar in pristine condition looks pretty and all but that's something that anyone can get, this is something special.

@ZYGTropicals

Жыл бұрын

What if someone bought a brand new guitar and had it heavily relic’d, then made up a bunch of stories that you had no idea were fake!! Would that guitar be a special guitar too?😆😆 Beat up guitars look like crap!!! True stories are cool, but to me, stories will never make a beat up guitar look good!!! It’s more like a collector item to show and compare with the stories. Doesn’t make the guitar look good though. And it’s not something I’d play a show with or use in videos.

This is one of the best guitars I've ever heard. No wonder it's been used so much. My first video I've seen of yours and you earned a sub :)

Great playing and great video sir. Very much enjoyed this. Keep it up. 👍🏼🤘🏼

Hells yehhh. Loved the guitar loved the playin loved the tones inspired to reinstall a Tone Zone. McRocklin is Rockin. Great series Thomas

You honestly have the best tone I've ever heard! Such a huge fan. Love your vids brotha!!!!

@McRocklin

3 жыл бұрын

🙌🏻 Thank you! : )

@McRocklin

3 жыл бұрын

All the tones are now fully broken down here: kzread.info/dash/bejne/qW2ZpdScnMS-eqQ.html enjoy! 👍🏻

Man! What a cool guitar with an even cooler history. Thanks for sharing!

Just discover your channel, it's amazing to see you again and i love your playing!!

brand new viewer, your playing is unbelievable! I owned one of these fabric floral JEMs for a week or so on loan for an audition to music school, precious memories. Thanks Aaron

Better than Netflix 🤟🏻

@Dastardly_X

3 жыл бұрын

🌟

@brataguitaracademy6530

3 жыл бұрын

Yup

@keefjunior4061

3 жыл бұрын

Watching ants fight is better than Netflix

@EdwardT9

3 жыл бұрын

So true, it completely sucks. Trash content right out of the $1 dvd bin at the truck stop in 2006.

oh my god that little quiet piece you play from around 7.32 is amazingly beautiful, - you caught me off guard there Mr. !

Good stuff Thomas!!! It's super cool hearing these old stories. The FPJ has always been one of my favorites!

@McRocklin

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks mate!

Great to hear these stories Thomas! :)

Sounds great to my ears. Organic, aged and authentic. Great stories Thomas. Thank you.

@McRocklin

3 жыл бұрын

Cheers Nigel!

Your parents were very supportive of your guitar passion... You looked like you were 8years old when you met Vai...

WOW!! This guitar play through is so dope 🔥🔥

I had one of these in the 80s, along with a yellow Jem. They were so different to play. The neck on the floral one was a different profile and thicker than the wizard neck on the yellow one. They sounded very different too, the yellow one being brighter. I always put that down to the curtain material. They were both great guitars. The floral looked better, but I preferred the desert yellow one, so the floral always played second fiddle.

Would love to hear about the Steve Stevens and Tony McAlpine guitars as well as hear you play them. Thank you for jamming on some B4G songs. I still really like that cd and still have my original cd. Too bad there weren't camera phones back then so we can watch some backstage hijinks. Please share more Steve Vai stories. And some Satch stories. And some B4G stories. More more more!

@Dastardly_X

3 жыл бұрын

BC BC BC 🌟

I like the mellow part that begins at 7:35 .

I totally agree with you about the florals have a noticeably different sound, not only compared to other Jems but in general, they are mellow yet heavy, almost like there is a muffler on them that doesn't muffle, it's hard to explain but my Floral is still to this day my favorite sounding guitar in my collection. I remember you ripping that guitar when you were a kid, I couldn't believe how great you were and also super jealous that you got to hang out with Vai haha. You deserved it for sure and now you are an amazing player, I learn something new every video. Keep up the great work!

Awesome stories I love this! Your a great guitarist and story teller!

You sound amazing on that guitar, I think it connects with something inside you that makes you want to shred like it was the 90´s. I bought mine after watching you in the video with Skunk Baxter

I'm glad to hear a lot of B4G songs again!! McRocklin sensei!!

I could listen to you all day long! Love how the pickup switch cracks a bit. I love the old headstocks from back then. It runs diagonally instead of straight.

I wondered what became of you! Glad to see you're still playing and doing well.

Awesome thank you for sharing that’s a great story you’re an amazing guitar player 💯💯💯✌️😎

Sold my 77fp 10years ago cuz I was a broke guitarist .feel so much regret now watching this video. You make it sound even better than I remembered !!!thank you

@McRocklin

3 жыл бұрын

🙌🏻

I remember watching you play on breakfast tv when I was a kid, I was amazed by your playing and I was and still am a big Steve Vai fan, I’m glad I found your channel. I love hearing the stories and your playing, keep them coming,

OMG those sounds. Your playing is very impressive. Amazing!

I got chills at 8:48!

could listen to you talk about guitars for ages haha and yeh my rg560 has serial numbers on the back of the headstock

Nice video with great moments of music around 8' and 13'. you deserve this guitar!

Nice stories and playing!

My brother in law loaned me his Jem when I around 14.. crazy to learn and practice on such a great guitar. I remember the pink plush inside of the case and that smell. I got into jazz years later and gave it back to him when I got my own guitar. I wish I still had it kicking around..

A lot of guitar companies in the 70’s -90’s actually put the serial numbers where the neck and body of the guitar connect so you might have to take the neck off of the guitar to see the serial number.

@mojomann67

3 жыл бұрын

The early Jems had the serial number on the neck plate. The number would start with the year it was manufactured ie. 891372. I have an 1989 777 VBK, the same year that the floral design came out as well

Nice. Love this series of content

The Bad 4 Good days..Ah man wonderful times! I must of listened to those tracks so many times. Certain things like that just stick to you so good and make the perfect soundtracks to the good and bad times that in the end makes it all good. Great to see you in super good spirits these days sharing some of the coolest stories I ever remember wanting to know about lol

Let me tell that this is a love story of friends relationship. sometimes we hurt a friend and that's what finally brings us together. Very nice history. Clearly this guitar is your charm of union with steve. Keep it until the last day of your life. Cheers!!!

I’m sure people over the years that didn’t know has asked “That guitar is in rough shape, why do you do that, what did you do to it?” And the persons jaw hits the floor when he responds, “oh I didn’t do that, Steve Vai did that” 😂

Omg that was freakin awesome! Love watching you play the Bad 4 Good stuff.

@McRocklin

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks mate! Hope you’re well.

@jeremyh5991

3 жыл бұрын

@@McRocklin yes all good - great to see your smashing it!

Wow, the guitar, and you, are still killing it!

Now that I realize you are "That Kid" I have just subbed. I love your Jem stories. What great history...And Maybe the fretboard fairy changed the fretboard in your sleep one night....

@McRocklin

3 жыл бұрын

I think that’s what actually happened, haha. And thank you!

Love it when you play some of the B4G stuff....Especially "Curious Intentions"

Geez that sounds amazing, and you're quite a talented guitarist. 🌟😎🌟

Awesome story. Can't wait for the other ones in this series. Whatever gear you're playing through sounds otherworldly.

@McRocklin

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you! : )

I first saw you when you were on good morning Britain. I had just started playing and my mum shouted me when I was getting ready for school to come and watch. I was so jealous. So cool that your still playing and your so grounded. Still jealous of your playing. 😂😂

@McRocklin

3 жыл бұрын

Awww how amazing! Cool story thanks Wayne!

@keatodiet

3 жыл бұрын

Jealousy will only hold you back, keep practicing!

@waynerussell2710

3 жыл бұрын

@@keatodiet I was joking. I do practice as much as I can and I'm far too old to be jealous now.

@keatodiet

3 жыл бұрын

@@waynerussell2710 lol good!

Dude! You did WHAT to Steve’s guitar?! 😳 You have to type it and spell it out to me because my old partially deaf ears must be playing tricks on me. 😂

Awesome, Enjoyed that!

great chops and a lovely sense of melody..

Thats guitarra is a Masterpiece

7:34 sounds as if Hendrix came down from heaven to ride into the sunset on a puffy purple cloud playing this godly riff

@chrislawrence6609

3 жыл бұрын

What kind of effect is he using? There's one that kinda sounds like it's reversed or repeated higher pitch or something?

@the_Googie

3 жыл бұрын

@@chrislawrence6609 modulated delay of some sort, also sounds as if he's using a uni-vibe type effect or auto wah. Definitley delay, reverb and modulation though. Check out the earth quaker devices "avalanche run". That, paired with a uni-vibe should produce this effect...

@chrislawrence6609

3 жыл бұрын

@@the_Googie cool, I'll check it out. Thanks. I just remembered where I heard a similar effect before. Steve Vai - Wall of Light.

I have a pre-amp in my custom Kramer that used to be in 1 of Steve's guitars that I got from a friend of his back when he did his flexible album. You have absolutely turned out to be an amazing guitarist man 🤙🏻🎸🎵🎶🎼

Man, that's cool to see this awesome Axe still rocking 30+ years later. Very cool brother!!!

I love yup...love that axe...character is an understatement

The neck plate looks different (possibly from the "RG" or "S" Series Ibanez guitars)/newer for sure. The original 80s Jem neckplates had the engraved serial numbers , the Jem logo and "Made in Japan" on them.

@McRocklin

3 жыл бұрын

Interesting

@raymondlugo9960

3 жыл бұрын

Maybe you got a new plate when the neck was fixed

@robvandermolen6767

3 жыл бұрын

Vai and others don't play the same guitars we can buy I have Ibanez Jem from Custom Shop USA with same backplate

@raymondlugo9960

3 жыл бұрын

@@robvandermolen6767 I have 3 u.s.a. custom guitars. I'll see what the backplate looks like

@raymondlugo9960

3 жыл бұрын

All three have the same neck plate. One has a serial number on the plate. Another has the number on the back of the headstock. The third has no number. Lol. I didn't see that coming.

Yes for the Ibanez Cases! lol Like a brand new car... Love your guitar playing btw!

@McRocklin

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you! : )

What a fantastic and interesting history and story behind this guitar. I think it needs to be preserved as it is, nice to see all the love and use it has had. And it also sounds great.

You sound too much better now than when you were a kid.

Where you that kid? There you are! God bless brother, I remember it like yesterday, getting old....

Great Video! I saw you play this guitar at a music gear show London Kensington Olympia circa 1989/1990. Met you and your dad after watching you play. Finally managed to find/buy myself the Jem FP this year.

@Dastardly_X

3 жыл бұрын

Congrats !!!

What a notes sounds amazing!!

Una linda historia. Muchas gracias por contar.!! Muy inspiradora.

That battle ridden Jem looks stunning though. Looks like it was found in a charity shop 😁

So glad you popped up in my feed. Not heard/seen you since your appearance in 'the audience is listening'.

I remember seeing you as a kid on a heavy metal documentary in the UK playing in a pub lifted up by your dad? Glad to see you're still around and playing!

@McRocklin

3 жыл бұрын

Yep, that’s the one! And cheers!

Reminds me of Dweezel telling the stories of eddie van halen being his roadie and tech at the school talent show and the guitar lessons and friendship

Excellent demo of your guitar! At 8:25, what effects are you using? Love the lush fluid reverb decay! Thanks

@McRocklin

3 жыл бұрын

All the tones are now fully broken down here: kzread.info/dash/bejne/qW2ZpdScnMS-eqQ.html enjoy! 👍🏻

That's crazy! Very cool guitar and mad story!

@McRocklin

3 жыл бұрын

Cheers Sam! : )

All those dings and all those memories... awesome. My rg550 has dings in but that was from my mum and her hoover whilst the guitar was in its stand. Awesome guitar dude.

I'm waiting for a bad 4 good reunion!! You know that would be epic

McRocklin one of the scariest kids guitarist ever. I know he is still a badass.

This is great. This series will be great.

Salute! Great video.