The Guitars of Eric Johnson: A Short History

[@donaldedwardgossett3085]

My son, Jordan is both a Tequila specialist and a guitar player so a few years ago he was at a Tequila Tasting dinner. He was sitting beside a lady with whom he discussed his love and involvement in music so she asked him if he had ever heard of Eric Johnson. He responded that his dad raised him right and that Eric Johnson was THE best living guitar player. She told him that Eric was her brother and then arranged for free tickets and backstage passes to meet Eric at his next show in Denver. My son took me and it was both a great show and a true honor to meet EJ -- who was also a very nice guy and easy to talk with. I jokingly asked if he had made a deal with the devil to play so great and look so young for his age -- as he is a year older than me. Then this week I ordered a Fender Eric Johnson Thinline Stratocaster as I love EJ and love Thinlines. And I love this video and all the short histories. Keep up the great work!

[@andybasic1761]

A memory that will last you a lifetime!!!

[@synboy]

ah via musicom changed my entire outlook on the instrument. Out of the 80's and 90's shred, comes a guy full of melody. Showed me that music was much, much more than just technique. Thanks to Eric

[@TauRiOneill]

He showed me you don’t have to limit yourself to one style or genre of playing. Rock, jazz, country…everything is on the table.

[@fivewattworld]

Mix and match, stir it all together…

[@fanoboss]

EJ's music is very romantic and thoughtful

[@johnnathancordy]

Beard is coming along nicely Keith! Thanks for having me. Eric has been the player whose tone and chords I've found myself most drawn to ever since I heard Venus Isle!

[@MrAwesomeSaucesome]

Hi John, love your playing on this! If you don't mind a nerdy question, what is that chord change at 19:56? I remember hearing something similar in the ACL cliffs intro and there's something turbo EJ about it :) was hoping to pick your brain on the theory going on there. Hope you're well, greetings from the UK S

[@JeffMcErlain]

Great work as always John!

[@tonystartup3817]

Nice one John!

[@gilguajardo7808]

John, is that your twin brother “Eric Cordy playing that ‘violin’ tone” at the top of the video?

[@eldesgraciado6690]

Pass me the silver bullets.

[@shazamvondoom325]

My jazz director in college did sessions with Eric. He said one time Eric asked a tech to get him a new battery for one of his pedals then left the room. While he was gone the tech changed the battery. When Eric came back and checked the pedal he turned it off, called the tech over and said “I need a Duracell, this is an energizer.” Then my director watched in amazement as Eric pulled the Energizer out of his pedal 😂

[@panagiotis.tsiatsis]

I love Eric's playing, but I am mostly grateful for his character.

[@cameronlund8704]

Something I always enjoyed of Neil Peart, too. I'm a drummer and these two always struck me as the dudes I'd have in my "pick two" to sit around a campfire for an evening and talk about music. Or even something else entirely. I think it would be goofy but incredibly insightful and wholesome.

[@Flying_turnip187]

I remember hearing Eric for the first time playing a live version of “Cliffs of Dover” on the end of a mixed tape. I seriously thought “ Santana sounds smoking ….he must be practicing!” Lol. I have never up until that point heard a beautiful sustain and tone matched with clean technique. I found out later who it was and was an instant fan. Amazing musician.

[@RobertKeeleyTV]

I've gotten to talk to Eric a handful of times, always about electronics, and every time he is so very inspiring. He has a wealth of tone-tips that will send you off on an inspired journey of tone betterment! Thanks for the history of his guitars, I have two of the Sassafras models (one is lucky #13) - I swear there is something special about these guitars! ;-)

[@jeffsaginaw1769]

BRAVO! I opened for EJ at the Fallout Shelter Raleigh, NC in the 80's and stood beside Richard Mullin behind the board for his set. I saw the ACL set after a gig in Chicago and was really jacked to get to open for him. He had the "never less than 150%" attitude. You're video here once again raises the bar. Thanks from us EJ fans. This was great!

[@stratfanstl]

Two items... 1) most don't realize EJ was on ACL twice before AVM's release. Once around 84 and the appearance in the marching band coat taped in late 88. He played versions of Cliffs of Dover both times and it was still clearly a work in progress. Maybe that can give the rest of us hope. That song didn't pop out of his head in the studio onto tape one afternoon around 1989 or 1990. He had been honing that for SIX YEARS. Even for him, it took practice. 2) is it just me or does anyone else miss ACL? Yea, I know it still airs but if you've tried watching it, the bookings since Terry Lickona left bear no resemblance to the rock/blues/country focus it had from 1976 to 2000 or so. The acts they have on now are unlistenable.

[@TheLochs]

I think a lot of people dont realize some songs take a lot of revision and expirimentation before they are finished. And some songs "write themselves". I've dealt with both. I love the train of creativity when a song writes itself. Its a great feeling.

[@BeesWaxMinder]

ACL?

[@ae3898]

The anterior cruciate ligament, part of the knee joint; a common sports injury involves a partial or complete tear of the ACL. (May also refer to “Austin City Limits”, a long-running live music program on PBS television.)

[@BeesWaxMinder]

@@ae3898 ah! Of course! Thanks! We’re only just discovering Key and Peele out here in ye olde Britain, and even then not on any TV channel!

[@dainhuston]

No your not alone I wish they’d get Sonny Landreth on A.L.C.🎸pick & grin

[@Frapzoid]

I stopped listening to rock around 1973 but I would say EJ is the best rock guitarist I have ever heard.

[@kevinknight470]

Eric is so humble, yet a master of the guitar. Thanx for covering some of his life. Very interesting, an old school guitarist with a great ear for sound tones.😃

[@LostPlanet2024]

One Sunday evening in 1978, (I was 16) bored and wanting to hear some music my friends and I walked into a Dallas hole in the wall called Sneaky Pete's. Nobody there, we grabbed table closest to the stage. We asked the waitress who the band was. She shrugged her Shoulders and said "some blues band". We were about to leave after about half an hour of deliberating where go to see a rock band when a skinny guy with spiked up hair walked in with a guitar case. He played a 60's metalic green strat that he said incorrectly was seafoam green. It was probably a faded Pellum blue. To say that night changed my life is an understatement. It literally set the course of my life. I have seen Eric perform close to 40 times and each time I relive that experience. Thank you Eric!! Thanks for the video Keith!

[@nitrobw1]

I saw Eric live about 5 or 6 years ago and it blew my mind. Everybody applauded when he hit that first bend on Cliffs of Dover, and he played SRV, my favorite EJ tune, and I couldn’t believe how easy he made it all look. It seemed so easy when he played it. And those chord voicings! He’s an absolute master of the guitar, no doubt

[@djw8133]

I don't think anyone since has even come close to his artistry. Not Goven not Lange nobody!

[@JohnLnyc]

On August 17, 2006 I saw The Steve Miller Band at the Ives Concert venue in Danbury Ct. Eric Johnson was the opening act. Steve commented from the stage about getting older and having luthier John Bolin build him Strats with hollowed out bodies. At one point Eric came out to jam with Steve and Steve noted it was Eric’s birthday. Steve then presented Eric with a white Bolin Strat as a gift.

[@picksalot1]

From ethereal, gentle chords to massive, fiery leads, and everything in between, EJ does it all with great tone, style and humility. Inspiring in so many ways. Details of the mods he's done to his guitars was particularly interesting. One of my very favorite guitarists. Thanks again Keith for a wonderful video and history.

[@fixingthingswithstrings]

The first time I heard Cliffs of Dover when I was in high school introduced me to what great tone actually was, I was an 80's metal guy so what I heard from that song changed EVERYTHING!

[@mikaelcooley9147]

I own the two tone thinline EJ and it's amazing. I've played a lot of Strats, but I've never played anything as nice and elegant as Jessica, my name for her. Now if only I could play as well as Eric.... lol

[@chrissterrmusic]

Thank you for the video! I just want to throw in here that Venus Isle is a gem of an album and seemed to never get the credit it deserved… ❤

[@seanhershey3390]

He's actually a friend of my band mate's brother who has a studio in Austin... I met him when he played here in State College Pa. super sweet guy... thanks again!

[@actuallukecolombero]

Easily favorite episode of this series, Eric Johnson gave me a reason to keep playing guitar when I was becoming sick of it. Really hoping to get the Virginia strat replica once I can afford it, this video must made me love it even more. Amazing work!

[@stephanematis]

My mother and I tuned in and watched that Austin City Limits session with Eric and were both silent and mesmerized until he finished. To me, he looked like a mischievous troubadour with that outfit, his hairdo and piped piper ability to draw the entire audience in. It was epic. Out of Montreal, two PBS channels always showed Austin City Limits and they often advertised an upcoming show with an extract of the famous clip of Eric. I own his vintage white semi-hollow Strat and one of each necks via Stratosphere: Virginia, production signature, bound rosewood. Without a doubt, the signatures are wonderful spec for neck with V shape, 12" radius and quarter sawn profile. Like many folks, I think these are among the most endearing necks, rivalling Custom Show 10/56's, especially since 10/56 + 12" radius is rarely combined. The bound rosewood neck graces my Ice Blue Metallic Fender American Original 60s Jazzmaster, going full circle back to the guitar model that inspired it. The most amazing grain original signature neck is gracing an Aged Sage Green Custom Shop body, combined with his signature pickups and Virginia's neck found a home on a Roasted Poblamo body. I dig his choice of locking tuners that have different height posts, making very clean looking headstock. The few clips of Eric speaking about the guitars details his deliberate choices well. BTW, on Virginia, it wasn't just Sassafras wood, but also an offset body, sort 1/3 + 2/3 setup, where the bridge is sitting in the 2/3 wood block. I think this both visually interesting and worthy of more notice for "behaviour". Thanks Keith & co for this one!

[@fanoboss]

Eric Johnson is one of the nicest people that I've ever met.

[@michaelwoods9005]

Eric didn't have a graphtech saddle on the high E of the original Virginia- they didn't exist yet. He used a Fender block saddle from the 70s with a piece of Delrin plastic glued in where the string goes over the saddle. They use a graphtech saddle in the tribute guitars because it's the closest commercial equivalent.

[@IsItWorthBothering]

I ran into Eric in Austin Vintage Guitars several years ago…. Such a chill guy. Fantastic, unmistakable tone.

[@jaythornhill]

Thanks for another wonderful video! I first got into Eric's music through the first G3 album. What I heard blew me away, and i went straight out and got "Venus Isle" and "Ah Via Musicom", and I've been following him ever since. A guitar player's guitar player, with tones to die for!

[@CRP2426]

Thank you so much for this Episode and all the Research you do. Really Loved it and having John Play here was more than appropriate. Thanks! also Just for the "Bloom" album he used an ES-175 on “Hesitant,” and an L12 for “From My Heart.” A Takamine EC132 classical guitar is on the last cut, “Ceil”.

[@MarkKirbyMusic]

I always wondered what he played on these tracks. Thanks!

[@jltrem]

Some years ago I was reading a guitar mag interview with EJ. In it he described his tuning method which I tried and adopted and have used ever since. It eliminates the E to E retuning that always occurs when using that method. It goes: Low E, High E, D, B, A, G. Usually only takes two tunings. Improves the balance when tuning.

[@fivewattworld]

I do the same thing for the same reason.

[@matthewmacdonald9851]

Keith, your videos are always fantastic but I'm especially thankful that you covered the guitars of possibly the nicest guy in the music business. What a treasure EJ is, a unique talent with endless chops and a spectacular sense of melody. Meanwhile he's the most down to earth guy. Thanks!

[@JunkfoodZombieGuns]

I own one of the Thinline models in Vintage White. It really is something special. It has a certain open airiness to the sound that I Love. My cousin, and first guitar teacher, who has been playing for 50 years and has played tons of Strats says it's the best sounding Strat he's ever played. I know it's my favorite. Thanks for another awesome video.

[@toms5951]

I found Eric Johnson when I needed something new to discover and like many Cliffs of Dover was the first I heard when being recommended by KZbin algorithm (at least it's good for something). A couple years later I took my wife to see him on the 2017 Ah Via Musicom that he was sharing the tour with another guitarist I never heard of Arielle. It was a fantastic show, she damn near stole the spotlight, and I ended up leaving with his strap that will forever remain on my Strat. I saw him once more early 2020, just before he would have to cancel the remaining tour due to Covid. I'd gladly go back for a 3rd show, watching him play is simply amazing.

[@onevoiceinc]

Fascinating video. Somebody did their homework. I learned a ton. Yeah, I didn't hear Cliffs of Dover until its radio debut - I still remember where I was that day when I heard it. Shortly after, I watched the Austin City Limits episode on a recorded VHS tape. Was blown away. Phenomenal guitarist and musician. Great memories.

[@robertbrewster4265]

I saw that PBS show too! I was at my grandma's house over the weekend just hanging out. A senior in HS and had no plans to go out. So, I started watching PBS late @ night. Wow!

[@daveverster7483]

Im South African..love this guy..his guitar playing is sublime!

[@AdamGotheridge]

Trying to add something of value here.... 1. Saw EJ on the Musicom reunion tour. Purposedly got 4th row tickets right in front of his amp. Pretty loud, but nothing harsh in any way about his tones and it was wonderful to hear the real amps and real tone in the flesh. 2. He played his newish F-hole strat on set 1 and set 2 was a different guitar, and I'm assuming an old strat. He sounds like him no matter what, but that second guitar was a completely different sonic level above the other one. 3. He never touched his tuning pegs the whole night on either guitar. Perfectly in tune the whole time. That really struck me, and it wasn't like he was shying away from using the whammy. Cheers! Hope you found that interesting.

[@fivewattworld]

I was there too. Amazing your.

[@stevecraig7643]

I saw Eric twice this fall. Still stunning to see play live.

[@armfold]

I’m not sure if Eric ever played it live, but I believe Alex Lifeson gifted him his original red Gibson double neck. The one that was damaged at a gig with blue oyster cult in the 70’s. Rush’s classic tune Xanadu was recorded with that guitar I believe. Then was stolen from Eric… I wonder were it ended up…

[@joetamm]

Eric Johnson also owned and played a 68 gold top Les Paul. I did a lot of business with Bart at Rockin Robin in Houston, in ‘83 I was in the shop when it was on University Blvd. When I was in there one day in the early 80s Bart pulled out a gold top that he said he got from Eric Johnson, who was a known very good player from Austin. Bart also mentioned Eric was a jazz/fusion player in the style of Jeff Beck. It was completely weather checked on the top and the fingerboard was dark and wet looking like it was oiled with every string change. It was routed for humbuckers and had two uncovered black bobbin HBs in it. He said the price was a few hundred less then the two other 68 gold tops I wound up buying but I passed on it and grabbed the two other mint gold tops. Several months later I saw Eric Johnson open for Stevie Ray Vaughan when SRV did his first tour after Texas Flood came out at the Music Hall next to the Sam Houston Coliseum. EC was unbelievable and played a strat during the whole show, probably the ‘54. I’m still kicking myself for not buying his gold top. 🇺🇸🎸👮🏻‍♂️

[@jamesprice6381]

1985 stationed at NAS Dallas TX ( Grand Prairie) Hitting pawn shops would find my first tube amp a 74 Super Reverb in OakCliff! As well as my second Gibson, a 68 SJ Junior which i modified. Would spend many a afternoon @ Eugenes guitars in Oak Cliff, and kiking myself now, for not BUYING one of the MANY $300 vtg strats stacked DEEP against the wall. Trips to Long Horn guitar in Ft Worth.. would leave me in mesmorization, looking at the 4 knob Park red tolex beast staring at me, while a young kid plays a vtg strat thru a chandler rack tube driver into a 50 watt combo Marshall NAILING THE most difficult lines on TONES> Yes, those days sparked a never ending journey, in ab ADMIRATION of the wonderment n mystery of not just music, but a gift straight from Heaven, so far it is in my rear view mirror, but not forgotten.. Both Tones and AVM would grace the galaxies B4 i left there.....just a kiss from the stars..

[@williamsanderson9279]

Great story of a great player and his guitars! Thank you Keith

[@ArthurESnyder44]

A truly humble guy and a freaking monster musician!!! Thanks Keith!

[@patrickwashburn4501]

Great show, Keith. In the late 1970s, I was picking up my 1975 Gibson Les Paul Deluxe with the blue sparkle-top finish from the original location of Strait Music in Austin. It was there to get a set-up and strobe tuning. Eric Johnson came in, saw my guitar, and asked me if it was for sale. I recognized him as the guitarist with the local jazz fusion group, the Electromagnets. Unfortunately, I had a gig that evening and I couldn’t sell him my guitar. Maybe if I had sold it, you might be mentioning that guitar in your video!

[@rogerwilliams2629]

When I used to see Eric at little clubs in 78 to 80, he played a Les Paul for one or two songs, a 335 for one or two, and the majoritu of songs on the black Strat with white pick guard, and that is why I've always had to have a black Strat with white pick guard. LOL He did all the Koto and other techniques on Faye that hes known for. The whole club audiences back then were full of us local guitar players, looking at each other, shaking our heads and smiling at each other, knowing beyond doubt we were watching greatness beyond our expectations. I miss those days. He is my greatest influence and the nicest human.

[@iwannabeyourshirt]

Great presentation of fhe guitars and versatility of an amazing player who also comes across as a humble and generous human being. It's kind of great when a talent of that caliber doesn't sacrifice one skill set for the other.

[@GenericSpace]

The first time I ever heard Eric Johnson was when they played "Cliffs of Dover" on the radio late at night in '96~ when I would sleep outside in the Summer months in the mountains of California as a young kid and it was like getting a glimpse at what Heaven would look like if a mortal could see it and somehow it was turned into a song. I had already been playing guitar for a year or so and thought the only way to go was with dual humbuckers in a Jackson or an Ibanez. Eric Johnson totally convinced me otherwise! Over the years, I've had different Ibanez guitars that are all gone now and a pair of Epiphones that I still have, but once I bought my first Strat in 2004, that was it. I've never wanted another guitar. There's just something real "comfortable" about a Stratocaster. That along with the incredible tone that you can get from them - there's just nothing better, at least for me. Just for the record; the 2x Epiphones that I have.... #1) An ET290 Crestwood from Don Knight #2) A green sunburst Les Paul "Custom Shop" with a set neck. Both are incredible guitars but I love my Strat

[@joshbechaistron791]

It'd be awesome to see a "guitars of Greg Howe" on this channel. I've had a hard time nailing down his specific instruments throughout the years, plus it would sound better coming from you lol. Nice vid as usual dude.

[@ginoames]

Truly one of my favorite guitarist/musicians. His playing, his songs, and that tone. Great video Five Watt!

[@Adventuresingearland]

Lovely work, Mr Williams and team. Thank you all.

[@Zed1984US]

I am sure you guys know that Eric played a cherry burst Les Paul, sans pickup covers, with Carol King. Thanks for another great video.

[@fivewattworld]

I think he's holding it in that pic but I couldn't find any documentation on it.

[@BB-gt1eg]

Been waiting for this!! Thanks so much, I remember distinctly the day I checked the "Ah Via Musicom" CD from the public library and listened to it at home. Blown away. Have had a major EJ crush ever since lol.😄

[@c.j.robert5350]

These videos makes us feel like we've been a part of its stories!! Amazing!!

[@michaelgregory2231]

I've played for years with Tower of Power keyboardist, Roger Smith, who tells of having a band in Dallas that included a 16 year old Eric Johnson. They had to get his physician father's permission to have him on gigs on school nights. He said that even back then, he would hear things that were the slightest bit out of tune when the rest of the band (all 5-10 years his senior) didn't.

[@rudiyantohalim736]

EJ's tone is so recognizeable, no one sound like him

[@137NorthAve]

The first time I saw Eric was the 88 Austin City Limits appearance and Cliffs of Dover. I was blown away.

[@philfrank5601]

These just keep getting better and better, thanks Keith.

[@jeffrobuck6338]

I really enjoyed seeing Ray Henning mentioned. I bought several guitars at Heart of Texas over the years, and you never knew who you might see hiding in a ball cap and sunglasses checking out an old Marshall.

[@JonManProductions]

It's Fall 2007 and I'm sitting up in the living room with a black plastic Kramer controller playing through Cliffs Of Dover on Expert trying for five stars... that's how I got introduced to his music. And even now as a proper guitarist with all the gear I could ever need for the time being, I can only noodle with his tones, nailing that intro is still something I need to practice and play toward.

[@robertwhitcomb6105]

Your research is as detailed as EJ’s playing. Thanks!

[@timothyk4125]

dude been waiting for this EJ is one of my favorites

[@Jackie_Rosewood]

So excited for this!!🎸🎸🎸 Hope everyone has a wonderful day🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@echoplexi73]

Dude! I've been waiting on this one!! Thanks Keith and John.

[@barberelectronics5672]

Why is this channel always so good? Your killin' it Keith!

[@sunn_bass]

Great video. I met EJ in Austin when Ah Via Musicom was released. Super great guy. Can't remember how many times i saw him live in the 80s and early 90s. Thanks for the video. Brings back good memories.

[@RobertJSedky]

Thank you Keith! Brilliant work and a wonderful tribute for the humble Maestro - that will endure for future generations to come.

[@NHfiddle]

I used to have an EJ strat clone. I had an old 1982 reissued 57 strat that I tried to turn into an EJ. It was the same two tone tobacco sunburst and I found a set of his pickups online. Someone was parting out a stolen guitar so I grabbed the pickups and had them professionally installed. When I got it back after a few short weeks it played and sounded very close to what his Ah Via Music Com strat sounded like but not exactly. I've long since sold it because it didn't do what I wanted and that was the last strat that I owned.

[@fa18superhornetpilotcessna75]

Not only is EJ one of the very Best guitar player’s in the world envied by top notch guitarists like Alex Lifeson , but is also so humble .

[@edc3093]

Hi Keith, I hope you are safe and well!! You are looking good with the full beard. I must say that in the 50 years of my playing keyboard, trumpet and guitar that EJ kind of just flew under my radar. Seeing your "The Guitars of Eric Johnson: A Short History, caused me to take notice of EJ and I must say that i am quite impressed with EJ, his style of playing and his choice of guitars (which I find to be remarkably similar to mine). I would like to thank you for your insight into the subject matter and bringing it to light. Your style of delivery keeps me glued to your videos . . . low keyed but, having great impact. In conclusion, thanks again for another great installment of A Short History. I look forward to viewing the next one. Until then, take care and stay safe.

[@rockyrovere2526]

Your the best, Hypes. "Short" and simple, Thank you, Rocky

[@wesleyAlan9179]

It's gotta be a weird, but great feeling when you come across a special guitar in a Pawn Shop that was stolen from you 20 years prior. Totally awesome. Great video 5WW🤟

[@joeriffanucci]

This is so great Keith. I agree with you and Perry about Eric being so important. I was playing for about 6 months then got Ah Via Musicom( Passion and Warfare, Southern Steel, Flying in a Blue Dream etc)the bar was raised 🙂His tonal standards, playing, music and general demeanor are something to be treasured. Thanks for doing this.

[@nine9whitepony526]

Never really gave E.J. a lot of attention on my turn table, but this video has sparked my curiosity. Love these videos. I love hearing about how particular artists like to specifically customize their guitars to suit their individual needs. Keep em coming Keith.

[@southpaw335]

Thanks Keith (and John) EJ is one of my absolute favourites and i learned quite a bit in this short history ! Cheers

[@simonbowkett124]

The Guitar Player flexi-disc was my introduction to Eric. 😊

[@jean-philippemorin1176]

Cool video again! Thanks for making them I dig these videos! I have the fender eric johnson signature pickups set in my mexican strat. They sound amazing. I think its worth mentionning since this is a pretty nice product, and they seems pretty popular as well. Eric and people at fender seems to have put a lots of thought in them. He seems pretty nerdy and demanding regarding tone. I didn't know very much about Eric before researching the net and youtube for a strat pickups set that I would like to get for my guitar and I came accross the marketing video from fender and Eric for these pickups, and I found that they sounded great in the video. So I bought a set. Glad I did. I listen to his music after and this has been a nice discovery for me. This is the guitar I have played the most since these pickups are in. It's a pretty unusual combination of pickups looking at the specs. I also have switched the bottom tone knob from middle pickups to bridge pickups, with no tone pot connected to the middle pickup, like Eric did and its the wiring I prefer. It makes sense to me as well. My strat still has all 250k pots and stock cap 0.22 tho. They are useful, versatile, and you can get more tones than the typical Eric Johnson tones. :)

[@Frankie_Holt]

Eric is the reason I know about Junior Brown. He was asked in an interview how it felt to be the most dangerous player from Texas , he said you must’ve mistaken me for Junior Brown.

[@runaprayascitta3970]

I've been waiting for this for the longest time, Thank you so much 🔥

[@dkcorderoyximenez3382]

A great presentation...thanks for pulling this video together...

[@petermcconaghie7745]

Ha! How bloody brilliant is this. I have a vivid memory of getting my copy of Guitar Player magazine with the story on Eric and including (bonus!!) a floppy recording of Cliffs of Dover on it that I duly placed on my grandmother's record turntable, pumped the volume and dropped the needle. I've been a fan, and shamelessly in dropped jawed awe, ever since.

[@dilo777]

I love the video of Eric Johnson playing Zakk Wyldes rig, guitar and everything and it still sounds like Eric!

[@TraneFrancks]

Outstanding as always, Keith. AVM blew my mind when I heard it. EJ's attention to tone is legendary.

[@TheRedSwallowCG]

He’s the reason I have a lake placid blue Fender 60’s Strat. It’s amazing and has a very vanilla tone. Just perfect cleans and I can get a beautiful edge of break up with it.

[@Trashslayer76]

The first time I heard Eric play was live when he opened for Rush in '91. I was an instant lifelong fan from the opening note!

[@DRChevalier]

EJ is my favourite guitarist which says a lot considering how many brilliant players are out there. I’ve saved to buy each of the Fender Signatures, the 57, the 62 and the Semi Hollow. They are very different and I echo a comment made by Keith in the video. While I have acquired many Strats over the decades the EJs are the best of all of them

[@VixCrush]

Thanks. I'm not a huge Eric Johnson fan, but I have learned some of his solos and I respect his playing and ideas a ton.. I think of him as being associated with split chord voicings.

[@bevinmodrak4997]

Oh man, such memories.I had that Guitar Player mag with the floppy disc. I remember watchin his performance on Austin City Limits. Such great memories.

[@ParkerDeBaryshe]

Awesome video Keith! My first serious guitar was a thinline EJ strat and it’s amazing! I have since heavily modified it somewhat in the spirit of Eric’s constant tinkering and hunt for tone. Great video, really reigniting my love of EJ, I think I’ll have to spend some time with his albums today!

[@stewartmproductions]

I remember seeing Eric in an old studio video with Carole King playing what appeared to be a ‘59 Les Paul - perhaps this may have been one of the fabled ‘59s Eric has or doesn’t have. Personally, in this market I might not speak too loudly about owning one for security reasons. :-) Thank you again Keith as always, Eric was a big part of my formative years - I saw the ‘84 ACL and was floored. Then the guy shows up in GP mag. Timeless. I found an early 2000s EJ in a pawnshop and it’s a go-to in the studio for everything strat.

[@patrickmckibben1932]

I grew up on a Stratocaster and after I got better and wanted to shred more I thought I had to have something made for shredding like an Ibanez. Hearing the amazing velvety and violin-like overdriven/fuzzed out tones of Eric Johnson helped me to believe otherwise. It was players like Eric Johnson, Jeff Beck, David Gilmour, and even grunge masters like Billy Corgan that helped ignite my own obsession with the Stratocaster.

[@alexlifeson8946]

That band coat was BRILLIANT. One of the greater rock outfits ever 👍

[@texpig13]

Another hit out if the park! Love EJ and 5 watt world!!!!

[@glenkepic3208]

Here before but, man,,,Austin show, I saw it in like '90. Heavy rotation here ? Not Cliffs but Desert Rose. Great singing and playing :) Love this.

[@alanmatthew5713]

Eric Johnson has THE most amazing ears. He hears EVERYTHING, not only when pitches are out of tune but even the difference between a foot pedal that has a battery or is plugged in.

[@DinsdalePiranha67]

Supposedly he can tell the difference between Energizer and Duracell batteries in his stomp boxes. :)

[@michaelwoods9005]

​@DinsdalePiranha67 no, he dispelled that myth a few years ago. He said he's never claimed to be able to hear the difference between battery brands, and he's never a/b'd batteries.

[@garymajchrzak6793]

Thanks a million for this one, Keith!

[@michaelr.4878]

I posted this same message on the David Gilmour video...but I feel compelled to share it again. While I personally can't stand strats (when I play them), there is no doubt that players like Johnson (and Gilmour) have truly mastered how to get the most out of these legendary guitars. To me, I feel like I am playing a toy when I play a Strat. Not only do I not like the feel..but I can't stand the sound of them. But, when legendary players use them, they create magic. I guess that is why they are professionals and I am just a bum. hehe. Thanks for putting the time into creating these incredible videos. We appreciate everything that you do.

[@zeusapollo8688]

I find them unwieldy as well.

[@bigmikeyz0071]

Yeah I suppose it’s player preference. Strats and teles just feel right to me. I also love playing my 335 and Sg’s feel comfortable as well. But single cuts just feel a bit unbalanced and unwieldy to me like I can’t dig in or something. I do have two 1990’s reissue’s Ip’s a 54 custom and a 60’ standard I think because their on the lighter side that I get along with but nothing like my Fender’s.

[@SagaTF2]

I recently purchased a thinline myself. As someone with rare low frequency hearing loss, being able to really feel the body vibrate against me is a great help. It is also a great conversation piece, as funnily enough, other musicians that I've performed with are immediately curious about it. Some hate the look of the f-hole, others love it. One thing is for sure though, you plug that bad boy into a super reverb or a twin, and you're in for a ride.

[@ripw1]

I have a few American strats including the EJ thinline and Virginia. These two are comfortably the best of the bunch in quality of finish, materials and sound. I also owned a 62 custom shop briefly and both EJs re up there in terms of quality

[@jonathanhudak2059]

Great video as always Keith, Thank You! I remember hearing Cliffs of Dover back in 1990. As a young man already out of highschool I had never heard anything like it before and soon bought the album (on cassette). I wouldn't pick up the guitar until 3 years later but have always admired Eric's playing and tone etc. AND there really is something amazing about a Fender Strat (I love Gibson SGs) it's really pretty much a perfect design and finally bought one earlier this year and love it. Great video and history 👍

[@jppagetoo]

I have seen EJ play 4-5 times. One was a gig he did in a small club as a warmup to a European tour. He played a lot of acoustic that gig, very unusual for him. Every show has been fantastic.

[@glassslide]

Fantastic video Keith---perfect way to kick back after a long week, thanks for all the great content, EJ is next level.

[@MattosMaul]

I remember back in my early 20's, getting hold of an Eric Johnson tuitional VHS, had no clue who he was prior to watching it, saw it in a local music store and thought that it looked good. Soon as I heard Erics playing I was blown away by his playing and tone. Undeniably one of the greatest guitar players out there :)

[@thegeardad]

His music has greatly inspired me personally and musically. His tones are incredible and he’s one of those guitarists nobody has a bad thing to say about. It’s also cool that Eric Johnson and I share the same birthday (Aug 17) BTW his semi-hollow signature Strat is absolutely phenomenal