Mick Thompson (born Mickael Gordon Thompson November 3, 1973) is the lead guitarist for the nine-piece nu-metal band Slipknot. Thompson is known as #7 in the band.
Before Slipknot, Mick was in the band Body Pit with former Slipknot members Anders Colsefini, Donnie Steele and current bassist Paul Gray.
Mick Thompson generally never played any solos in any of Slipknot's material until the band's most recent album, Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses). This is because the band's previous producer of the 'Slipknot' and 'Iowa' albums, Ross Robinson, disallowed the use of guitar solos,in fact him and drummer Jordison removed all of the solos from the self-titled album in the production stages. Robinson claims in Total Guitar that he banned solos because he thought they were irrelevant and would not fit in with the music that Slipknot were playing, however he has often been accused of disallowing them just to fit in with the nu-metal sub-genre he helped to create in the mid to late '90s.
Trivia
- He has a fascination with jobbys.
- His previous job was teaching guitar lessons in his school called Ye Olde Guitar Shop.Which he still does as a side job.
- Before Slipknot wore coveralls, Mick dressed up as Little Bo Peep.
- Many fans believe that previous Slipknot member Grouch was indeed Mick, just with a different mask, but this has been proven to be untrue.
- James is actually taller than Mick, contrary to what it looks like and what most people think. James is 6'6" and Mick is 6'2".
- In one interview he stated that his hometown Des Moines, Iowa is the most boring place on earth and if it weren't for masturbation he'd have killed someone out of boredom.
- Mick Thompson has recently left B.C. Rich and is once again using Ibanez. His current Ibanez has the word SEVEN in the fret inlays. It's equipped with EMG 60 and 81 pickups and factory tuned to Mick's preference of drop B tuning.
- Before leaving B.C. Rich, his guitar had the word HATE on the 2-5 frets.
- Mick has the word 'seven' tattooed on his left arm;- his number in Slipknot
- Has two cats.
- Mick is an atheist
- Will play a zombie in the upcoming independent movie "The Wait"
Instruments used
Guitars
- Jackson Custom King V (no longer played)
- Jackson DR3 Dinky Reverse (no longer played)
- B.C. Rich Custom Warlock ,tuned to B F# B E G# C#)
- B.C. Rich Custom Bich ,tuned to B F# B E G# C#)
- B.C. Rich Mick Thompson Signature Warlock
- Ibanez Custom RG 6 (Red, with "SEVEN" inscribed on the fretboard, tuned to B F# B E G# C#)
- Ibanez Custom RG 6 (Black, with "SEVEN" inscribed on the fretboard, tuned to B F# B E G# C#)
- Ibanez Custom RG 6 (White, with "SEVEN" inscribed on the fretboard, tuned to B F# B E G# C#)
- Ibanez Custom S Series (Silver, with "SEVEN" inscribed on the fretboard, tuned to A E A D F# B)
- Ibanez MtM1 (Mick Thompson Signature)
Amplifiers
- Mesa Boogie Simulclass 2:90 power amplifier
- Marshall JMP1 Tube Preamp
- 400 watt Carvin 4X12 Speaker Cabinet (Top and bottom)
- Rivera Mick Thomson Signature Knucklehead Reverb
Effects
- BOSS GX 700 Effects Processor
- BOSS GT-3 Multi-Effects Pedal'
- Electro-Harmonix Bassballs
- Dunlop Jimi Hendrix Octave Fuzz
- Ibanez TubeScreamer
- Boss Super Overdrive (no longer used)
- Digitech Turbo Flange
Accessories
- EMG 81 Pickups (bridge position) and EMG 60 Pickups (neck position)
- Dunlop Jazz III picks
Mask
Originally, Mick donned a Jason-style hockey mask, painted a dark pea green type color. This can be seen on the cover of their self titled major label debut, "Slipknot. Shortly after Mick wore a dark leather mask comprised of separate pieces bound with metal rivets, with a nose opening cutout and vertical slats forming a smile for his mouth. When Iowa was released, he slightly altered the color, making it more silver than black, but still stayed with the same design. For Vol. 3, he switched to a more molded, less piecemealed version, following the same format but with a more modern smooth edged look.