Gibson’s popularity took a downturn in the 80s, with some questionable quality control and ridiculously heavy instruments. This boosted demand for good quality replicas, and Kris Derrig made some of the best. Slash had been playing pointy-headstocked Jacksons in G N’ R, but when recording they didn’t sound gutsy enough, so Guns manager Alan Niven saved the day by finding the Derrig. Visually, the Les Paul separated Slash from hair metal posers, making him heir to Jimmy Page and Joe Perry.