Sean Paden
Backline Crew Chief/Brad’s Guitar Tech
Works with Linkin Park since March 2003
Twitter: @stage_rad
Instagram: stage_rad

What’s the official name of your position? Can you give us some insight into your daily work?
My official title is Backline Crew Chief and Brad Delson’s guitar technician.
My daily work consists of maintaining and programming ampilfiers, preamplifiers, effect processors and pedals as well several midi controller devices used to perform Linkin Park songs live. This also includes maintaining all functionalities of the guitars: from restringing, to electronic replacement and repair as well as structural repair of the instruments (broken headstocks etc.). All this requires many relationships with companies that make components we use. For instance, Brad uses Paul Reed Smith guitars, if one breaks beyond repair I’ll call their artist relations rep to acquire a new one. It’s not as easy as it sounds, as most of the guitars are custom and not off the shelf. So, specifications are discussed and a guitar is ordered to our specs. This takes time and to get it expedited quickly, it helps to have these working friendships speed up the process. I spend a lot of time nurturing these relationships. This is the MOST important part of my job and the least noticed by the band.

Guitars used for With You. Custom from PRS. Tuned like a traditional seven string without the high E | Photo: Sean Paden

Sean working on an old V at his shop in Nashville

How long have you been a part of the Linkin Park Team and how did you get there?
I started working for the band in March of 2003 as a set carpenter. I left my position as Paul Stanley’s (KISS) guitar technician to do so. I also took a huge pay cut because I saw a family vibe with the crew and wanted to be apart of it. My other roommate at the time brought me in. (not Pooch). First show as guitar tech was June 27, 2003 Hard Rock in Vegas. The last Jimmy Kimmel show we did, marked nine years handing guitars to these guys.

Family Vibe? Sean with Ted and Dylan | Photo: Sean Paden

Erin, Megumi and Ted at work | Photo: Sean Paden

What is your greatest memory since working for Linkin Park? What’s the worst one?
It’s really hard to pick single memories..there is just to many. The first Sao Paulo show we did was pretty awesome! It was the last show of the Meteora tour and in a stadium filled with 60,000 screaming fans it was truly a spectacle. Other great memories would be working with my friends. Some are no longer with us but never forgotten like my great friend “rigger” Dan, a true character with great integrity. I truly miss him. Sometimes I will walk in a venue we worked together and forget he is gone..i’ve caught myself so many times looking for him. He was great though, always had a way of pulling the best out of people. An inspiring soul. RIP my friend. He worked with Linkin Park for at least four years.

R.I.P. “Rigger” Dan

The SNL performances were great as well. I made it on the show twice handing guitars to Brad during the Band’s second appearance on the show (during the ATS tour). That Madison Square Garden show the friday before was amazing too. My wife came to see me in New York and was there for both performances (MSG &SNL). Did Jay-Z come out that night? I can’t remember but I do remember when he did that it was one of the loudest crowd noises I’ve ever heard in my life.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvltDzQdWPc

Worst memory with Linkin Park would be losing my grandfather. We were opening for Pearl Jam in Poland that night. Brad was true friend and came out and talked to me. At the time, I had just resently lost my mother, so I was already fragile. He died at 94 had a long life. He was the rock of my family so a huge loss. Sorry for the “departed” memories but you asked for the worst. You probably wanted something else..okay try this the last European tour, we did ten days of touring without a tour bus and no hotel rooms. We slept on commercial and charter planes through out Europe getting two or three hours of sleep at a time sitting in economy. That may be the worst actually. If that never happens again it will be to soon. We did the shows though.

The original GGP aka the Jackcaster Sean built for his son in 2008

Click to check out Sean Paden’s Green Guitar Project!

If you have anything to say to the Linkin Park fans, go ahead!
What can I say to the fans…I’ve been around this business basically my whole life and have seen many different types of fans. The LPU and even the more casual LP fan are some of the most loyal fans I have ever seen. These guys are truly lucky to have the fans they do!!!!! The fans are pretty lucky too, because this band wants their fans to be apart of the machine. Letting people see it from all angles and as up-close as they want to get. Most bands don’t do that. Most bands take their audience for granted. I’m proud to work for this band. I believe in what they do and respect how they do it!!!!!!

Sean with @Yukanoue at the Summit in Japan

More info on Sean:

• Favorite color is purple
• If i could own any car it would be a corvette (silver)
• Favorite guitar is a GGP ha ha ha just kidding I love them but my favorite is a 1978 Gibson Les Paul Custom Silverburst
• Favorite guitar strings: Daddario xl110
• Favorite guitar effect: Talent Booster or maybe a old “Tape echo delay”
• Favorite group: Iron Maiden
• First concert: KISS 1976
• Favorite guitar players: Gary Moore, Doug Aldrich, Jake E. Lee, Steve Lukather, Ace Frehley, I could go on but that’s kinda my vibe.
• My first record: KISS Destroyer, Second: Boston S/T
• Favorite sports team: Barcelona FC. Messi!!!!!
• Favorite American Football team: Tennessee Titans!
• Favorite place to tour: Japan, I love ramen noodles and Gyoza. The guitar gear there is crazy!!! Don’t feel like I’m playing favorites. The Linkin Park audiences are the best worldwide. I choose Japan because I like it there, it speaks to me.
• Favorite food: Indian or Thai
• Other bands I’ve toured with KISS, Ozzy Osbourne, Guns N’ Roses, Rage Against the Machine, a ton of others.

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