5 Guitarists That Could Replace DJ Ashba In Guns N' Roses

2. John 5

Every time that GN'R have needed a new guitarist over the past 10 years or so, former Marilyn Manson and current Rob Zombie guitarist John 5 has been one of the names at the top of most GN'R fans' wish lists. With good reason: he is one of the most technically gifted guitarists not just in contemporary industrial rock/metal, but in the whole of rock music today. He fits the mould perfectly. Axl has long had a fascination with industrial-sounding music (check out Oh My God, Silkworms, Shackler's Revenge...), which is the most natural environment for John 5 to thrive in, and his presence may encourage Axl to re-evaluate some of the more experimental sounds that he toyed with and eventually predominantly discarded in the late 90s. But John 5 is more than just a one-trick pony. His solo material displays an emotional style that rivals even that of Slash, and he is undoubtedly a more capable joint lead guitarist than Ashba. While his image may be slightly off-putting for more conservative GN'R fans (coated in make up, a shock of white/silver hair, goth clothing), it's nothing weirder than some (Finck, Buckethead) that have come before and been immensely popular.