Former Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist John Frusciante’s guitar tech Dave Lee recently commented on a “Scar Tissue” video, discussing how his guitar on the song going out of tune appeared to be an accident, but the screwup sounds great!
“Ok. I was John’s guitar tech for his entire second ensure with the Peppers (from around 98-08). When he rejoined the band, no one was sure what was going to happen. We did a few shows, then they went in to write and record what became the Californication album. Since no one was sure what was going to happen, I went to work for Ozzy and Korn, while the Peppers worked on the album.
The band’s then drum tech Louie Mathieu took over all backline chores for the recording of the album. I can guarantee you that when the song Scar Tissue was recorded not nearly that much thought went into the tuning. The slightly off tuning was surely an accident. Although John may have noticed how it sounded, and approved of it.
I tuned John’s guitar for every single time John played it live since then. And I tuned it directly to what my Peterson strobe tuner told me to. A-440. Beauty start by the way!”
John Frusciante left the Red Hot Chili Peppers around 2008 or 2009 and was replaced by Josh Klinghoffer.
