Rig Rundown - Journey's Neal Schon

PG's Rebecca Dirks is on location in Milwaukee, Wisconsin where she catches up with Journey's Neal Schon. In this segment, Schon discusses his upcoming PRS signature guitars, how he uses his Axe-FX Ultra, and answers your Facebook questions.

[@jrdelves3871]

From now on, I don't ever want to see a rig rundown done by anyone but Rebecca!

[@MesaGuitarGuy]

it's now 2020 and I still feel the same way! She really knows her stuff

[@bobgilles1]

I am really impressed with Rebecca Dirks, I was Neal's tech in the 90's and she asked all the questions that I would have asked Adam and Neal, she is obviously a real player and gear aficionado, well done.

[@Omerta-33-EE]

neal is absolutely one of the very best players in rock, very vocal melodic style with speed when needed

[@steevkelly]

i'm a gearhead (that's why i love watching these vids) and rebecca constantly blows me away. she def knows her stuff! she asks questions that i would be too geeked out to even think of! i'm dirksfan!

[@shreddinjoe]

Mr Schon is an ICON..glad to see him still out playing the also iconic Journey stuff...even though Mr Perry has no desire to be a part of it, the new guy does pretty damned good

[@JohnnyCarvin]

Great Rundown! Neal Schon is a class act!

[@sixstringfretter]

Neal is the Master. One of my favorite. The song Stone In Love has some of the best guitar work ever. It really showcases Neal's talent.

[@chrislestermusic]

I think Neal is spot on about in ear monitors.

[@midwestfisherman]

A+ interview!!! Thanks to Neal Schon for taking the time to talk to Rebecca!

[@DrummerJohn]

Great job Rebecca! Excellent questions and interesting dialog. You are a pro..

[@rmaclema]

Great questions, and great interview. I think some people bash Rebecca Dirks because she's cute, but I think she gets good interviews out of people. I thought Neal's take on in-ear monitors was pretty interesting.

[@kipkipper7205]

Richard MacLemale You have a long time fan here form back in 2003 macidol.com and a new fan in Bobbie Today who loves your Florida Songs album.

[@frankoveberg3859]

well! she missed,when she said! you dont want to learn a new way to play! NEAL said! NO, i can learn everything... so...she dont understand-guitar,teckhnique,and the life as an musician. otherwise she did a god job!

[@stratcat9432]

​@@frankoveberg3859 😂 Dumb thoughts put into dumber comment

[@erichaheidrich4593]

Neal is a legend. His sound is fantastic.

[@IPushHard]

Neal is probably one of my first guitar heroes. There was Hendrix and Page... then Schon. I saw him at a tiny gig (in Hayward, CA with Yesterday and Today.. Y&T) when I was around 17. He had a huge fro, and was playing through a cab with moons and stars painted on the front. To me.. that was "Journey" and always will be. Glad that he's had the continued success, and I'd like to hear some of his recent stuff.

[@MerrittJeff1970]

This is s nice run down Rebecca. To be a guitar tech for Neal is probably the most demanding gig n the field as Neal is a tone genius and that rig is complicated.

[@KeeperOfPoops]

nice job Neal! i enjoyed this video a lot and props to Mr Adam Day to help show some more gear

[@acdcrocksinkc]

Good interview....always been a fan of Neal's playing.

[@BetoAzamar]

Wow, that tech is more Diva than the Artist itself. Neal is so down to earth. Rebeca beautiful and smart as always.

[@evomxp7595]

Im a big fan Rebecca! Big thanks to you!

[@Thetonemaster1]

22 mins on one guitar. wow i'm super awake now thanx.

[@jaymax440]

rebecca knows her stuff....the tech was workin up a sweat with answers.

[@B0yardigi0rn0]

I shake my head in disbelief each time I hear this man play :O

[@jaiullu1]

But then again, EMGs and Blackouts are used by many companies when they include active pups on their guitars. PRS don't make an active pickup alternative to those so there's no choice but to use those.

[@MOSKII58]

Neal's black sig gtr looks like a design that was created using aspects from several iconic guitars, the Les paul of course, i also see a bit of Gibson's L5-s, & Es - 335. The L5-s was Gibsons solid body version of their famous L-5 arch-top. several rock & rollers experimented with it, including Keith Richards, Carlos Santana, & Bad Co's Mick Ralphs..

[@danielconrad764]

Neal's PRS models are actually based off of the PRS JA-15 model that came out in 2010/2011.

[@bradparesemusic]

When AC/DC comes to the U.S. this summer, you MUST do a Rig Rundown of Angus Young!!!

[@TheScaredofsilence]

Great job Rebecca. On top of it with the questions. Too bad mic peaked out like crazy when he started playing.

[@nandobaby87]

Never thought so much could be said about a guitar..

[@hermanmelville7706]

Yeah. In every IV I've seen NS do, he appears very user-friendly and accommodating. He seems to genuinely like his fans. Some don't, of course.

[@JoeyLaake]

Very Awesome, Neal is one of the all time great guitar players in my book. Super PRS line of guitars for you Neal good job.

[@torreyintahoe]

I have severe tints as well and I play with full blown industrial hearing protection and turn up the amp until it sounds fairly normal.

[@billyrouse4813]

I play a Santana SE, and Neal's correct. The SE guitars play and sound awesome.

[@terryneal8227]

THanks for the heads up on the PRS bling -bling botique, you sound convincing , I don't wanna chase another dead rabbit egg

[@ThePanchomack]

Rebecca did great interviews!

[@blave549]

Nice work Rebecca. It's great to hear about Neal's rig and not his "new" girlfriend for a change.

[@jackstroem1324]

All I need to sound like schon is the m13 by line6. Distortion, eq, chorus and some echos. Thats the stuff ya need ;)

[@skycaptain141]

his guitar tech really techs for everybody

[@jumboalps]

The Neck Pickup is "DiMarzio FAST TRACK 2" , I think.

[@guitarczar15]

he's so mellow

[@wesnnewt]

He had Kahlers and Floyds in LPs before Lifeson.

[@haakman123]

The rig rundown starts here: 24:53

[@brucepeterson1103]

Undoubtedly a very talented Heavy Metal showman !!

[@gtrjoe68]

When I die I want to come back as Neil Schon. Rock on Neil.

[@These_go_to_eleven_1959]

Very surprised to hear neal is now using a duncan Custom-custom pu. These are a good bit hotter than the 57 classic,PAF's and burstbuckers he has used for the past years.

[@216trixie]

0 to 22:18, all about the guitar. 22:18, rig rundown starts.

[@slapitman]

If anybody wants an original schon guitar from the 80's with the Jackson style headstock have a chat to the guys at Ed Roman in Vegas, he has a few left even half built when the production stopped.

[@MarshallAmpMan]

Neal Schon looks like that old actor... Victor Mature.... Rebecca has been known to jam with Alexi Laiho and Children of Bodom..

[@1970borntorun]

To me, PRS guitars are like a red convertible BMW in the 80's. It's "cool" to have one even when there are far better products out there you can own for far less money.

[@MuscleDad420]

I've heard of old people covering their furniture in plastic but this is some next level shit.

[@AnthonyLosty]

I really wish we could get a Matt Bellamy rig rundown! :)

[@fivepiece]

Neal is legendary.

[@spacedoutcowboy8621]

Does anyone know what Neal played on Abraxas Pool?

[@avelinojunie78]

This lady knows about guitars well.. Cool

[@TroyCastellano]

"This is my new signature guitar. I have a Seymour Duncan custom custom pickup in this. I'm really used to these. I have the sustainer in this one. I use it a lot live" BUT the production model of my signature guitar will not have these features...to get what I use you can send yours out Gary Brower, the guy who works on mine..."

[@Lerxst3333]

Neal knew 9 years ago what just was fixed for Arnel’s in ear monitor.

[@boardwlk17]

Why aren't you using the AxeFx2's the improvement's in 9.02 are just outrageous . You were great at Experience PRS it was loud too very Cool!

[@jetpiston]

Neal! Have your sound guy put a couple of mics up front pointed at the audience and mix a little into your monitor mix.

[@pwkpilot]

I think Rebecca is soooo cute! And apparently, so does Neal!

[@RockstarVideoMaker]

He's playing PRS now, but he'll be back to Gibson soon.

[@hosoiarchives4858]

RockstarVideoMaker didn't happen

[@KeeperOfPoops]

not gonna happen now Gibson is done for

[@danyeo]

@@KeeperOfPoops They are? When? How?

[@blindriv3r]

Would be great to see Neil Young on this, probably never happen though. Have an old VHS from years ago, Ebay, think it is called Down on the Farm. To get out of doing promo tours of talk shows for Ragged Glory he did a sort of similar thing, copies given to record company ppl...of course he threw in jabs at them as well in his commentary...he did mention his amp went to 12, and they zoomed in on it, he repeasted that and said, "got that, Nigel?"...ha

[@macinfloydvolk]

more bass rig rundowns please ;)

[@chowin52]

Would like to see Rebecca play some guitar.

[@MB-yw3pv]

I CALL NIEL THE PROFESSOR CAUSE HE RARELY EVER MAKE A MISTAKE AND EVEN IF HE DROPS A PICK OR HANDS IT TO A FAN HE JUST KEEPS PLAYING WITH 1 HAND LIKE ITS NOTHING AND HE'S SO CLEAN WITH HIS TECHNIQUE

[@ChadVanHalen5150]

Neal Schon looks and sounds so much like Paul Stanley... It's scary...

[@MarshallAmpMan]

he also looks like the actor Victor Mature

[@giancarlosalirrosas9365]

Does somebody know what is the milimiter of the guitar pick that Neal use?

[@aurosne]

I watched the Van Halen Rocumentary and the roadie for VH back in the day, accused Neal of messing up Eddies amps, because Neal was envious of Eddie. Neal was unable to play like Eddie. Great story it reminds me of another great mediocrity, Saliaria. HAHA.

[@BeProductions1000]

have a word with your sound team mate, they might be willing to set up a few audience mics to feed your in ears at a low volume.

[@TroyCastellano]

You're probably correct...however, then you cannot build a "signature" guitar unless it is truly a guitar nailed down right to the artists exact specs of what they really use. IMHO.

[@IcOnIcEtErNaLXXX]

Pwese do a Johnny Marr rig rundown if possible : 3

[@Jacksonkellyfreak]

off topic of the vid but i instantly recognize your user name from wings. you know all the episodes are on youtube right? teddyfalconer is the channel name

[@VHR-5150]

Need to have one more concert with Steve Perry

[@WarriorMigs24]

Awesome

[@dmedicFF]

I would agree.....I'm not one to judge men's looks, but he was better looking before. Now, especially with certain facial contortions, he looks almost abnormal. I feel bad saying that because he is so very talented and is one of my guitar influences.

[@onetime504]

"Neal is dead my friend; you can call me...JOKER!"

[@BillDerBerg]

REBECCA 😍❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@markbundy1694]

Neal is an EXCELLENT Player.. Rebecca Rocks, PG you need her back... Neal's guitar tech is kinda stale... lol

[@xophersmith]

thank you!

[@TheGearChat]

"Wanna know how I got these scars?! er... Guitars?"- Neal

[@TMoody]

The bridge pickup poles are not lining up with the strings and my OCD is really kicking it.

[@austinfenns3895]

As a huge Neal Schon fan, I might just be stealing a lot of ideas from this video.. :D

[@LouSassles]

What Dimarzio neck pickup is he using?

[@SeeMick1]

I don't think PRS uses anyone else's electronics just as a matter of policy.

[@lazyriverpony]

I just went to their show and Neal's guitar sounded really bad, not his playing but the FOH had this sandy grating sound it was almost painful. It got better towards the end and only when he used the strat. This is the first time I went to a concert knowing that the amp is an Axe-FX and I really can't say I dig the Axe. I've been to metal shows where the guitar sound was tolerable.

[@TheZooropaBaby]

I think it depends on how they use Axe. Steve Vai gets decent sound out of Axe-Fx. Could be because he use real amp and axe fx for effects only

[@dmedicFF]

Probably some kind of red tape business decision involved. PRS may not want the Fernandes/Dimarzio products built in to their own guitar, when and if it gets mass produced.

[@MoPower2112]

Is rush comin soon? I saw pics on the gallery??

[@ssolo8]

Why does she Always ask ALL the RIGHT questions???

[@sethseiden5736]

Can someone let me know were I can see her with something in her hands? Was she in the movie Funny People with Adam Sandler and Seth Rogen.

[@bongofury67]

I used to sit in a room and move lines around myself.

[@Jeepjones85]

Great string advice lol ! Because there is no other rock band... Ever

[@RONDOC68]

I've always loved Neal's playing but when did he start looking like Lady Elaine??

[@heathwatsonguitar]

Does anyone know someone who has put PRS pick-ups into a guitar? They always seem real cheap sounding

[@emiliefulgencio984]

l love neal

[@MichaelGrecoGuitar]

i

[@jerb727]

Rockstar all the way

[@MisterTee]

You need to get your shit together. Some of Steve's sig guitars have Alder, others have Basswood bodies. The Jem 7V comes with an Alder body. Also, there are varieties of basswood...Canadian and South east asian Basswood has a lot in common with Mahogany but is a little flatter in response so it takes well to bright pickups and locking bridges. Basswood wasnt used because it is cheap, it was used because in a high gain setting with Floyds basswood just works.

[@MarshallAmpMan]

what's with the hazy camera work?

[@michguzman]

Rebecca forgot to ask about the botox brand used by Schon.

[@haakman123]

no problem ;p

[@liedgitarrist]

take a look at the gain knob.......

[@shreddinjoe]

I agree with Mr Adrian Dunn...I wouldn't mind seeing Beckys gear ran down..

[@JB3Knife]

What's all the cellophane for ... dust/dirt?

[@JPTyler]

Jaybee Barnes Dust, dirt, excess moisture....anything that might dirty up or diminish the controls. Hope this helps.

[@oranjguy]

For rain at outdoor shows is what his tech said in another video

[@rockdaddio]

Neal is starting to look more like Paul Stanley.