John 5 Interview and Rig Exploration | AMS Interviews

Guess who we got to hang out with at the Gramercy Theatre in New York City...? The one and only Churro! Oh, and his owner John 5 - who was gracious enough to talk to us about how he got his start and what it's like to work with some of his biggest influences. And as an added bonus, he agreed to let us take a look at his legendary rig! This interview was super insightful. A huge thanks to John and his team for showing us around and answering our questions.
You can get the gear that John 5 uses now at AMS!
EVH 5150III EL34 50 Watt All Tube Guitar Head:
ter.li/AmericanMusical-EVH-51...
EVH Eddie Van Halen 5150 III 4x12 Guitar Speaker Cabinet:
ter.li/AmericanMusical-EVH-51...
Boss SD-1 Super Overdrive Pedal:
ter.li/AmericanMusical-SD-1-S...
Boss CE-2W Chorus Waza Craft Effects Pedal:
ter.li/AmericanMusical-Boss-C...
Boss RV-6 Digital Reverb Pedal:
ter.li/AmericanMusical-RV-6-D...
Boss DM-2W Delay Waza Craft Pedal:
ter.li/American-Musical-DM-2W...
Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor Pedal:
ter.li/AmericanMusical-NS-2-N...
Fender Bassman 800 Pro Head Hybrid Tube/Solid State Bass Head Amp:
ter.li/AmericanMusical-Fender...
Fender Bassman 610 Neo Bass Amp Cabinet:
ter.li/AmericanMusical-Fender...
Gator GTR-MINIVAULT-E2 Mini Vault for 2 Electric Guitars:
ter.li/AmericanMusical-Gator-...
Or read the blog: www.americanmusical.com/conte...
And of course, go stream John 5’s latest single “The Ghost” here:
open.spotify.com/album/0wt5NM...
And don’t forget to see John 5 on tour here:
john-5.com/main/tour/
For all your gear needs head on over to AmericanMusical.com
#AmericanMusicalSupply #interview #John5 #GoldieGuitar #MotleyCrue #MarilynManson #ArtistInterview #Guitar #Churro #TheGhost #BlackWidowofLaPorte #TheDevilKnowsMyName #WithTheCreatures #RockMusic #TheHowardSternShow #HowardStern
Chapter Markers:
00:00 - Intro
00:54 - How Banjo Influenced John 5
02:33 - Transition Into Heavier Music
03:37 - Working with Your Influences
04:32 - Submitting Tapes to David Lee Roth
05:27 - Always Listening
06:40 - Writing with Your Influences
07:55 - What It Takes to Make It
08:38 - Steve Perry
09:50 - Keeping Sharp with a Large Discography
12:17 - CHURRO!
12:53 - Covid-19
14:03 - Treating Everyone with Kindness
14:46 - What draws you to darkness?
16:52 - Telecaster & Kiss Collections
18:28 - Checking Out John 5’s Rig
19:00 - Goldie, #1 & #2 Ghost Telecasters
20:45 - EVH 5150IIIS EL34 Amplifier
21:52 - EVH 5150 III 4x12 Cabinet
22:24 - More Guitars
23:39 - Mandolin Goldie
24:15 - Banjo
25:28 - Pedalboard
27:20 - Fender Bassman Amplifier
27:54 - Outro (Thank You Gator!)

[@eugenehavens]

Kelly and Ryan asked so many great questions, and John agreed! John is a rare musician who makes you feel like a part of his career.

[@knowl1969]

I love how articulate and interesting John is during his interviews

[@Confidentk9sCa]

He is so right when it comes to taking risks. If you succeed, good on you. If you fail, you still can learn a ton and become so much stronger for it. ❤

[@dustinmcfarland2441]

John 5 is amazing! Always kind and always just the most impressive guitarist. A true class act. Thanks for posting this interview!!

[@steverigatones7264]

Went to a meet and greet on his solo tour a few years ago in western Canada. He signed my arm. I immediately went to get it tattooed and then went back to the concert with my forearm in bandages and a giant smile on my face. This guy is one of the main reasons I play music. Pure class and I am glad he is getting his due and recognition as one of the best.

[@jdg2k6]

Hilarious. I saw the still frame for this video and thought it was a Will Ferrel spoof.

[@mathtrixmusiclix4248]

John knows; Being a smokin’ player ain’t enuff. You gotta be a good hang too. Nice guy!🇨🇦

[@kenb9514]

Honestly music is in our blood Michigan

[@TheChicagoTodd]

John 5 is an absolute beast, and one of the nicest guys.....he deserves all the fame attention and money he can get.

[@VixCrush]

Such a cool guy. I am not into hardly any of the music that he plays but he is so cool and knows so much. I love like Roy Clark and Glenn Campbelll the whole HeHaw thing and if I could play just from Roy Clark's catalog for the rest of my guitar days I would be totally happy. I am Deadhead and spend most of my practice time working on Grateful Dead and Phish songs but like most guitar players I go off on tangents and one month will try to learn every thing Clapton, the next month Trevor Rabin or really anyone. I think learning stuff out of your wheelhouse is how you get better as a player and John 5 is an idol for me. So cool. I want that John 5 tele with the really old flat headstock. That is a dream guitar for me. I will get one. One slipped through my hands recently. It was a Mexican one for less than $1000. I will get one.... Thanks for this interview.

[@scottoconnor]

john5 master class in being a good interviewee.

[@michaelbujanda8785]

John 5 is so professional!!!! Well he seems really Down to Earth!!!! And hes an awesome guitar player!!!! Ive seen him play a few times!!!! Solo stuff!!!! His live show kind of reminds of Rob Zombies theatrical props!!! Halloween/Scary monster theme!!!!😊😊😊😊

[@kathleenflatley3973]

John sounds like a great guy. Enjoyed listening to this!

[@MrRidleyDog]

lost all respect for him when he joined Motley.

[@mr.smithgnrsmith7808]

Nice interview guys, well done, John 5 RULES

[@telecatsermaster]

John is one of the top 5 best guitars players alive. Absolutely amazing. He makes it look easy.

[@cmichalski420]

jon 5 is the man i always wantes to meet him and talk gear this is so cool

[@mddg1515]

Where can I get those sunglasses? Keith Richards of the Stones wore those years ago. I've gotta have a pair!

[@jimmycrabtree-tb6jc]

This is great stuff!

[@thepumpkinking666]

J5 is the best guitar player I've ever seen. He can play any genre flawlessly and is the greatest with his fans. I've met him numerous times and he's always been awesome. J5 fan for life. PS - Dave's the friggin MAN too.

[@robertkennedy5753]

Amazing interview!

[@monkeyrevolution1964]

The sounds like a very nice human being with a very good heart : saving bees from inside the watter .

[@amslu]

Coolest cat in the business

[@stephenmcdonald338]

Total awe and respect for this man. But... he's never been in a band and written a classic rock song...and he may reflect himself on that. It seems strange considering how effing great he is. Doesn't matter I guess when he has such a mixed bunch wanting him as axe man. He does Jerry Reed like no one else...total legendary status right there imo.

[@michaelmoore7975]

I think this is the 1st time I've ever seen J5 without a Tele in his hands.

[@shaynebraid]

At least give Steve Stevens a mention if you are going to rip off the Raygun effect…

[@penprop01]

👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽…thank you

[@kellyelrington5663]

Sweetheart of a guy, please come to AUSTRALIA with your Creatures xxooxx ALSO, glad the EVH head & AMP haven't been tampered with; can't improve on the King's own products.

[@adamprice3466]

Every single bluegrass show Ive ever been to disproves his banjo theory

[@kenb9514]

Not trying to be funny but we are motown people We love music

[@kenb9514]

A lot of good things come out of Detroit Redmond blues

[@johnnymossville]

Is John 5 really as nice as we all think he is? The guy just seems like he'd be the best to hang around with, have a few beers, and just BS about everything.

[@smokeaguitar3019]

"ORANGE BLOSSOM SPECIAL"

[@DapperHesher]

@1:55 TBF, in 2024 you can't get any ladies playing electric guitar. 🤣

[@Nils_Martin]

✨🤘🏼♥️🤘🏼🎸

[@scottybrowndotca]

Was it on purpose that Churro has the same head of hair as John 5 ..? Because if this is an evolutionary coincidence, imagine the odds ..!!

[@nycshelbygt500]

Need a #Fender #CustomShop #John5 #Goldie Signature Guitar.

[@nycshelbygt500]

Kids, if you wanna be a Guitar Shred Legend watch #HeeHaw. #RoyClark, #BuckOwens, #GlenCampbell. HaHa #John5 #Churro

[@stealingtomorrowband]

John looks like a bug... It's kind of funny. I know most famous people where sunglasses during interviews to block out the annoying lights.. John is definitely a bad mofo on the geee-tar haha.

[@rareform6747]

Love the T-Shirt .. This is nice , got so weary of PG vids and repeats that I Unsubscribed . Thanks !

[@kenb9514]

He sounds like Ted Nugent LOL

[@kenb9514]

The funniest thing is he is a Trump supporter❤

[@JoshuaPatrickGarrett]

Interested to know what makes a "good person" while working with Marilyn Manson and Motley Crue.

[@jimmymoz9140]

What do you mean ?

[@pb12661]

eating well, getting a lot of sleep, being reliable, and reframe from partying on the road.

[@CollinPeterson615]

I know a few banjo players that could have had any woman at Bridgestone Arena last night... and at least half the men for that matter! That was in bad taste. I know it's a joke, but criticism of fellow instrumentalists is bad vibes. Oh yeah... night two happens tonight! Nashville ❤❤❤

[@cb24203]

Interviewer dude is wayyy too obsessed with John's dog. Mention it enough times? 😂

[@markusaurelius777]

He secretly wants to mount it.

[@internetmoney221]

Twink5 and Lippi Synxx 🤘

[@markusaurelius777]

LOL !!!

[@1joshjosh1]

Why do aging artists always have to wear giant sunglasses indoors ?

[@familjenrask]

Because it looks very cool and adds to their mystique persona 😊❤

[@dantheman5201]

John 5 is awesome. Sad he plays for Motley fool now. He has more talent than the other three combined. He doesn't need backing tracks. Motley fool is a joke anymore.

[@drschoeps]

what an unfortunate shirt the guitar tech chose.

[@MrRidleyDog]

Why can't he do something better with his hair? And lose those stupid shades.

[@markusaurelius777]

Looks like hair implants in the front. Yep, those shades are brutally tacky looking LOL

[@mackcollier8284]

You know, there are places where you guys can find the kind of men you're looking for. You dont have to settle for John and his crazy shades.

[@isailwind3471]

What is with these guys that wear those goofy sunglasses during an interview and indoors for that matter? Dudes got no class.