Jake E. Lee discusses his changes in playing style and equipment, attributed to his struggles with arthritis, in a manner similar to learning to play guitar anew.

In the latest issue of our website, renowned guitarist Jake E. Lee opens up about his ongoing battle with arthritis in his right wrist.

Lee, known for his stints with Ozzy Osbourne and his own band, Badlands, shares that he has had to make significant adjustments to his playing style due to the condition. The cartilage in his right wrist is essentially gone, leaving bone on bone, a situation that has affected his ability to play the electric guitar.

Despite this, Lee has been resilient in his approach. He has had to be selective over the songs he plays, minimising wrist movement and using more elbow movement to manage the pain. In an effort to ease the strain, he has also switched to a lighter pick and opted for seven gauge strings, a change that has helped him maintain some dexterity.

However, the pain from his wrist arthritis is not his greatest concern. Lee has had a history of back issues, and these have taken precedence in terms of discomfort.

The former Ozzy Osbourne guitarist, Lee, also shares an interesting anecdote about a memorable backstage encounter. He played Kirk Hammett's legendary Greeny Les Paul backstage at Back to the Beginning, an experience that undoubtedly added to his musical journey.

Billy Gibbons, Tony Iommi, and Brian May are among the guitarists who, like Lee, use seven gauge strings. Interestingly, Billy Gibbons found that thinner strings gave him more fluidity across the fretboard, a contrast to Lee's choice.

Lee's recuperation has been a long and challenging journey. Apart from recovering from multiple gunshot wounds from October 2024, he has also been dealing with his wrist arthritis. Remarkably, he has undergone no operation for his wrist arthritis, as he didn't want his wrist to be fused.

For a comprehensive understanding of Lee's battle with arthritis and his insights into the world of guitar playing, we invite you to read his full interview in the latest issue of our website, available now at Magazines Direct.