Rig Rundown - Bon Jovi's John Shanks, Phil X, and Hugh McDonald

Article & photos: bit.ly/BonJoviRR
John's Amps/Rack/Effects: 0:55
John Demoing Pedals: 08:56
John's Guitars: 23:32
Phil's Guitars: 52:58
Phil's Amps/Effects: 1:09:22
Hugh's Basses/Effects: 1:15:14
PG’s Chris Kies spent some quality time with John Shanks, Phil X, and Hugh McDonald before their sold-out show at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. The trio prove they travel heavy with plenty of instruments, detail their signal chains, and Phil X even challenges Kies to an arm-wrestling match.
Covering the Angus Young, George Harrison, and Mick Taylor vibes, this 1964 Gibson SG still has the original PAFs in it. All of Shanks guitars are strung with Ernie Ball Slinkys (.010 -.046) and most of them are tuned down a half-step.
Here’s a 2007 Suhr Classic Pro with the Suhr-wound SSV humbucker in the bridge that gets used on “Lay Your Hands On Me” and stays in drop-D.
A few years ago Framus approached Phil X about co-designing a signature guitar and this was one of the first production models for the XG. He claims that they basically built his dream guitar by making a larger, thicker SG-style body, paired it with a ’59 neck profile, and added a single Arcane PX-90 that was voiced with Phil’s help and input.
Currently, this may be Phil’s favorite signature Framus because after he had them do a custom paint job, he “upgraded” its looks by scraping, dragging, and applying paint remover and other gnarly chemicals.
Continue learning about the band's gear: bit.ly/BonJoviRR

[@betterinsodapop]

Phil X has been having the best day of his life for 40 years straight.

[@1106Winter]

I've seen Bon Jovi last Thursday, 13th of june in Nijmegen, The Netherlands. It was awesome, just awesome. Jon's voice might be wrecked from all the touring, but the spirit is still there. Phil X is just an extraordinary performer, a worthy replacement.

[@renekohen3779]

instablaster.

[@CharlesWillisBonsai]

52:58 is when he starts talking to Phil X

[@luuk341]

Charles Willis I needed that! Thanks chief!

[@TylerLL2112]

Charles Willis You da man!

[@OniDasAlagoas]

Thanks!

[@mainlymusicman]

who's phil x?

[@Glock_Doc]

mainlymusicman 🙄

[@benzykaram]

Phil X is like a labrador who also happens to be an insanely talented guitarist. Massive respect.

[@awow100]

Watching Phil X on Premier Guitar is like the Simpsons/Family Guy crossover episode.

[@mrmisterman999]

a really shitty episode

[@crimsun7186]

Not really. That would be Phil X with Greg Koch.

[@armff4817]

jonny demarco was insane, he probably sell more boss than anyone else! He could sell ice to skimo! huahuauha

[@switch62586]

I think he watched the movie son in law with pauly shore a few too many times!

[@TheZooropaBaby]

I'm only here for Phil X

[@Gloveberg1]

Straight to 53:00 I can't believe he takes the BBQ JMP on tour. I'd be afraid it would break or get smashed.

[@Terryomalleyonline]

TheZooropaBaby johns stuff is very impressive......too

[@Jeepjones85]

Gloveberg sweet thanks

[@grabags2804]

same

[@MrUltraworld]

Shanks monopolizes the entire video. What a turd.

[@jadejohnwilson]

He said "well Tico's not changing drums so I don't change basses." Rhythm section sticks together. LOL

[@Sco3000]

Woohoo Phil been watching you since the early Fretted Americana days!!

[@andymarin6725]

Sco, me too!

[@ktnation15]

Chris asking: what’s your favourite guitar? Phil X: shut up.

[@ryeyanmatthew]

1 hour and 20 minute rig rundown! Love sitting down to one of these with a fresh drink.

[@bdgreg]

ryeyanmatthew s Or five...

[@countvond233]

On my second bourbon. Just gets better.

[@tysonrinker8089]

me to

[@tysonrinker8089]

second Busch now

[@jensk4140]

6 beers later...

[@alonehades100]

Love that Johns rundown has this producer perspective a little more than a touring musician one, not many people get into mics, plug ins, etc, especially talking about a studio thing.

[@The77SpaceMan]

I wish they had done it when Richie was around, he had some really interesting stuff in his rig. But this is great as well, thanks Premier Guitar!

[@GlamourSwinexXx]

It's not too late, Richie is doing tour dates with RSO! PG can still get a hold of him! ;D

[@The77SpaceMan]

GlamourSwinexXx So true, but I guess his RSO rig is quite stripped down compared to what he used with Bon Jovi. Nonetheless I'd still love to see it.

[@danyjeff4447]

If they had done that it would have taken 2 hours just to get through his Guitars

[@The77SpaceMan]

Danyjeff I would have loved to see his Chris Hofschneider made sigantures that ESP released back in the day. He seemed to have had a lot of them in different set ups.

[@lufiealice6251]

How can anybody not love Phil X... Like a caffeinated Jim Morrison!

[@jjbast]

This is by far my favourite rig rundown. A real guitar geek!

[@christopherkelley5875]

Phil X's guitar demos back in the day and his abiding enthusiasm is one of the things that first got me into learning about guitars and being a total nerd about them. Glad to see he is still enjoying himself. Also his guitars look rad as hell. Serious mojo.

[@andrewpappas9311]

I freaking love Phil, man... He's an awesome guitarist and a great guy. A few years ago I was at this music camp and I had the awesome opportunity to have been in his band and got to learn from the best. He's so funny and gives awesome advice, one of the guys at the music store where I take lessons is really good friends with Phil as well

[@nathanmueller1838]

But no one I mean no one can replace Richie

[@jodiallardice1500]

I’ve met Phil once at a rock camp, and honest to god, he is the best guitar player I’ve ever seen in my life!!!

[@Millennial_Mike]

Shanks is an incredible musician... he's also a wonderful example of how perfect gigs could be lol... we can dream

[@louisthomass]

John is great! Love that he opens up about all his stuff! Big fan!

[@scalzmoney]

Anybody else's mind melting trying to listen to Shanks while they're sound checking the mics?

[@ShaunRogue90]

I could listen to Phil talk guitars all day.

[@luuk341]

I love the contrast between the first guitar player and the bass player. First dude has 3 million pedals/amps/guitars and the bass player has a nice and easy rig.

[@PeteHawthorne]

Wow I have never been bored during a Rig Rundown before! I normally love sitting with a coffee and absorbing all the guitar geekery... then finally at 53:00 Mr. Phil X comes along and everything is better again! :D

[@tfeerick]

Thank you so much for the time stamp...

[@bluesdude1194]

I met Phil X last weekend at the guitar show in Birmingham, England. What a great guy, I bought a white strat at the show and got Phil to sign it, made my day.

[@couragios]

John is a really cool guy - he doesn't talk just for saying something, he thinks over all questions and then answers in a honest way - really nice!

[@LiberTBo]

Phil X 's trademark spaced out is way cool, especially when you realize what an incredibly talented guitar player and humble man he really is...Thanks to PG for interviewing him....

[@leagueofshadows]

JS is such a technical guru he really knows his rig as if it were his pet. The hallmarks of a true damn professional. Whereas a hack would be a muso who had no idea about technical issues. It pays to know everything about your craft and this man is a damn genius!

[@davidrivera5829]

MAN I LOVE PHIL X; HE IS CLEARLY SO IN LOVE WITH GUITAR AND YOU CAN HEAR IT IN HIS FEEL, PLUS HE KNOWS HOW TO PICK GUITARS; THESE GUITARS ARE SUCH GREAT ARSENALS!!!

[@MoneyBooBoo]

Last rig rundown had one guitar, no pedals and one amp. What a difference.

[@lintangken]

Goss Samer Phil was too rock n roll for Jon

[@DanOughton]

Wow Mr Shanks, 50 minutes of pure guitar geek..

[@flahprius]

I've known about John Shanks for years and years as a producer and guitar player, but never got to see an in-depth interview with him. Great interview, but dang, his segment was over 50 minutes!!! His tech is earning his paycheck for sure.

[@TM42]

His tech is probably one of the highest paid in the business!

[@c.e.anderson558]

Phil X is 52 years old. Never aging

[@SrDeMaFp]

John is such a gear head. He knows our plight! Haha. Seems like a good dude too. Killer gear! Unreal.

[@crestiferj2689]

always love the comments on these videos. clearly john is just a hack with too much gear. i mean, dude hasn't done much in the music biz besides playing, producing or writing for bon jovi, michele branch, the corrs, chris isaak, keith urban, sting, stevie nicks, bonnie raitt, joe cocker, sheryl crow, carlos santanna, celine dion, alanis morissette, robbie robertson, miley cirus, kelly clarkson, goo goo dolls, nelly furtado, gavin degraw, colbie caillat, rita wilson, liz phair, mika, take that, leann rimes, rod stewart, dwight yoakam, the vamps, natasha bedingfield, leona lewis, big & rich, montgomery gentry, rascall flatts nikka costa, shedaisy, dave stewart, sara evans, pat monahan, enrique iglesias, meat loaf, jewel, paul stanley, beth hart, eisley, lisa loeb, shinedown, vertical horizon, fleetwood mac, janes addiction, pink, sr71, sass jordan, paula abdul, and some crappy rock band named van halen. not much of a resume, really.

[@fmbighair]

crestifer j ha 1000000000% with you

[@TylerLL2112]

crestifer j I agree(not sarcastically) that ISN'T much of a resume. Where's the good bands?

[@jimiraybeckton]

You're actually John Shanks aren't you...?

[@crestiferj2689]

haha. no.

[@80srs11]

that's a impressive resume ..seriously janes addiction.

[@23skidoo46]

that's what I love about Phil. It's just all about simplicity in his rig and just rock n' roll. Shanks is almost the antithesis of Phil.

[@bingefeller]

One of the best Rig Rundowns in ages. I loved the Phil X interview.

[@mikl1987]

Check out his video wirh Mark Agnesi for Gibson TV about his collection

[@bingefeller]

@@mikl1987 Cool video!! Phil X is so positive and full of charm. He is a joy to watch when he plays and also when he speaks.

[@wilbertrobles1123]

Phil X took Wayne’s World & School of Rock & created his own vibe we all love. Rock on Phil! Brought a whole new fan base to Bon Jovi.

[@klrc0]

i want phil x to be my friend.

[@ChrisvonChamier]

Karlos Romano Curo Plymouth Seabring 1972

[@ChrisvonChamier]

Sorry, mistake reply

[@carefulplants]

just buy him an 8 ball

[@tassobear]

or 2! lol

[@acefrehley681]

I party with Phil X

[@blainefowler6315]

Hugh reminds me of the dad who happens to rebuild cars in his garage. The cars are really cool, but you don't really picture him driving fast.

[@kuga6566]

I mean, hell, out of everybody in this Rig Rundown, he's been with that band the longest, even before they had him take over bass duties full-time. I feel like the only reason they didn't make him an official member until fairly recently is solely because he never had the sex appeal Alec John Such did in the '80s and because they didn't want to create any drama in the years following his dismissal. But Hugh is without a doubt one of the very best rock n' roll bass players ever.

[@Louister16]

Be cool to see an updated rig rundown now that phil has gone to gibson

[@alexshudrums]

Awesome it was great meeting you john you guys rock thank you so much !!!

[@Aleph_Null_Audio]

John Shanks: definitively answering the question, "How many guitars is enough?"

[@KMoney1219]

The correct answer will always be "just one more".

[@MRxr400]

wish we all lived life on a high like Phil. His call on reverb is spot on how I feel. never thought about the pull of neck pick ups. I bet his set up is a lot more robust than rack gear.

[@johnsmith-bk4ps]

same reason esquires always sound beter than teles. i,m amped all the time just lke phil we would hit it right off!!!!!!!!!

[@JamiTake2]

I love seeing some people react to Phil's personality. He's amazing

[@ITigerbaum]

The studded Tele, dancing girls, and barbque JVM! Amazing pieces as well as the Sadowskys. Thanks.

[@jeddak]

I only wish the Shanks portion had been a little more thorough. We didn't find out what brand of nail file he uses, nor his preferred guitar polish.

[@testifone4215]

Especially considering how influencial he is for the guitar world

[@JBergmansson]

Spot on, I can't understand why his time was cut short...

[@mattgilbert7347]

"..a la Gilmour"

[@Auen73]

Hahahahahaha😂......good one 👍

[@markr.devereux3385]

He covered 40 yrs. of research in an HR. He even pulls out a baritone telly I didn't see an electric 12 string Suhr is nice if you can afford it

[@deitybob]

My wife walked in at 1:00:56 where Phil is talking about big knobs and asked what kind of weirdness I was watching now...

[@Savoy1984]

The word knob always makes me laugh.

[@mattiv1]

straight guitar porn, that's what it is

[@paulterl4563]

lol

[@tkalbfeld1]

Best Comment Ever!

[@raymondsaunders5890]

LMAO!!!

[@edwindantes539]

I would love to meet Phil, he is always positive and seems to be super down to earth and not just for the camera.

[@andrewdenine1685]

Man Phil x never gets old always happy

[@bradmarden8392]

Yeah I wish I had his serotonin 😀

[@Gloveberg1]

Maybe Chris's easiest interview ever. Hit the Phil X "on" switch and just stand back.

[@Chrismayo1981]

Now I really want to know about that Explorer!!!!

[@johnsoutar5030]

Probably stolen

[@ryleitdept]

it is beacause it's a very well known guitar. you can google or wiki it anyway xD

[@sargentrowell81]

watching this again, I realize Bon Jovi is one of the few groups that's gone through and shown there own stuff in Rig Run Down. And god damn, John really went into detail on exactly what he uses for each bit.

[@fonkamex]

Everybody talking about Phil x. Nobody mentions the bass man at the end of the video is such a cool and relaxed man. Very simple and effective musician. Love that.

[@Zhaggysfaction]

Phil X: "Not to mention the other guitar from the other company..." and now he is endorsed by that other company.

[@Gloveberg1]

Probably because he didn't want to step on Framus's toes at that point I can only assume. I really think if Mark Agnesi hadn't gone to Gibson to run whatever department he's in charge of then Phil doesn't get an endorsement. Not that Phil asked for it, I think Agnesi went for internet and KZbin guys (Didn't Marty Swartz get something from Gibson as well?)

[@VonBluesman]

Great Rig Rundown. John Shanks is a living world book of knowledge. He is the most impressive and smartest person on gear that you have ever interviewed. John needs to write a book or Premier Guitar needs to do a long series of stories with him.

[@codygranrud6212]

VonBluesman dude forgot more about tone than I'll ever learn.

[@kristianniemann8716]

1h 20 min rig rundown. 1h 15 min guitars, 5 min bass. Love it.

[@joebaby555]

Phil X. “ It came in Blue but I took a torch to it !” 🤣🤣😂😂 He always kills me ...

[@willemkerpel1]

John Shanks seems very The Edge-inspired

[@stevesecor4382]

He made a lot of references to The Edge, didn't he? I think there were even a couple more when he was thinking of The edge but didn't bring it up. Very interesting

[@PIlotrcm]

Willem Kerpel that's what I was thinking

[@chuckzc]

He was even doing "The Edge" while he was demoing

[@chuckzc]

the swaying thing the Edge does when he's playing

[@mviscrazy11]

Willem Kerpel i thought this same thing as soon as i saw the memory man in his rack lol then he said the edge 11 or 8 times after that

[@adam614ce]

OMG 44:13 into this and Im starting to get dizzy and sick almost from GEAR OVERDOSE!

[@aussiedrum86]

Love how the sound guys still sound check with Steely Dan or Donald Fagen "The Nightfly".

[@paultighe1298]

Can't wait for the RSO rig run down Richie, Ori and their bass player will be awesome.

[@fabianschroter9071]

Trace Foster. Tech for Joe Perry, Bon Jovi and Angus Young. Living Legend, anyone?

[@IPushHard]

Jeez, for me to have ONE Les Paul or even a high quality copy would make my decade. All these awesome guitars! I'm ten shades of green. Nice to know that someone out there is having a great time living my dream life : )

[@notamisfit2]

So nice of them to interview the band's dad at the end.

[@ICACJ]

RIP Dirty Sanchez. Gone too soon.

[@simonb.9414]

who is dirty Sanchez?

[@mr.anonymous5501]

@@simonb.9414 I think they're just trying to get you to Google, 'Dirty Sanchez', which probably isn't a great idea. For those who can't help needing to know, it's basically painting a literal shit mustache on someone, usually with a certain part of the male body, after a certain kind of sexual activity, either for sexual gratification, or for shits and giggles whole asserting dominance. It's considered an urban ledgend by many, but, and even though I haven't tried to, I'm sure there's pictures and videos out there of the act. You know, rule 44, and all.

[@brianwilliams2558]

John Shanks OVERKILL

[@scottdrumm4828]

Shanks is like an Aston Martin - Phil X is like a Dodge Hellcat 😂🎸

[@voodoochili12]

Love the Donald Fagen reference track in the background

[@ooinvsaoo]

5 minutes for bass XD

[@ayeapprove]

just bring one bass and go DI tey said

[@eliberdinner4808]

At least he had some interesting/different basses. Even as a bass player, the usual "well here's my Fender p-bass, and here's my Ampeg SVT..." gets kinda old.

[@soeffingwhat]

Agreed, I'm a bassist and sometimes use effects and even a wireless, but essentially I prefer to keep it as simple as possible and use just a Bass, Amp and DI, with just a tuning Pedal.

[@soeffingwhat]

That can be true, but personally I prefer the simple setup (though mine is a J rather than a P lol )

[@CharlesWBassist1]

The bass section is always the blandest part of these because bassist dont really use too much. The only run down that the bassist took more time than the guitarist was with Doug Wimbish from Living Colour

[@marcospintor1333]

The video starts at 53:00

[@jameslasts]

Lol true enough

[@dadthewarrior]

Brilliant episode. Really nice genuine people talking to other players as equals.

[@JasonMcFly]

Today in 2020, I'm a lot more interested in Phil X than Jon Bon Jovi. He really pulled the interviewer out of his shell haha. Great stuff.

[@GUITARTIME2024]

shanks is one of these "more is more" guys.

[@BoyAditya]

you know that you rich when you use Kemper only when you're in hotel (^^)

[@george25199]

That guy has a least half a million $ worth of Gear and guitars on that stage.

[@SylviaAdamsMusic]

Thank you guys so much for asking about Evil Robot! I had been searching for ages about info about what happens. Feels good to have a bit of closure on where they disappeared to, would still love to get one if I could though.

[@myworstenemy680]

The Jon Bon Jovi solo project has some awesome hired guns.

[@BrentHarmon]

Guitar Tech Trace Foster get's around. Joe Perry, Angus Young, John Shanks etc,

[@tracefoster8829]

After seeing the John Shanks video its pretty obvious why Trace is on this one. I hope he is making a ton of money to deal with this nonsense every day. From Angus to this. Even Joe Perry's gear made way more sense.. I met Trace on AC/DC and he was super cool. I even sent him a Facebook message with a question that he actually responded to and answered me.. Class Dude

[@bexserver]

"I collect Pete Cornish pedals" oh man.

[@Its_LumberJack]

As an absolute guitar nerd, I loved this.

[@3113_records]

I love that "the bass rundown" is about 5 minutes, and is placed at the end haha.

[@sea-saw2654]

Next time the missus moans about me having too many guitars I'll just show her this vid. Might shut her up for a while....

[@TempoDrift1480]

Sea-Saw Why not just serve her divorce papers. Why would you want to be around a woman who's gonna bitch about something like that. Ain't no pussy in the world worth that kind of grief.

[@IR0_]

@@TempoDrift1480 she would get half of the guitars

[@ifwecouldvote]

@@TempoDrift1480 lol chill dude! U dont leave someone u love just because they moan a bit. Every woman moans, especially when im givin them the D.

[@zakarhaavevuo2574]

Yeah man but guitars aren't exactly like shoes for instance. You only need one to play any kind of music. Right?

[@21DAZ12]

I wonder how Jealous Rob Chapman is right now haha

[@ocelotl23]

Daryl Smith why? Serious question.

[@davegsux]

i suppose it's because rob and phil are friends, if that's what you mean

[@MichaelJBirch-yj1ol]

Who?

[@MrMikepresley]

Who is Rob Chapman???

[@jasonedenilson]

its david chapman mate

[@mrgibson]

This is how I'd love to see every rig rundown! where the artists actually play something

[@shawnoldham9098]

I dont know shit about guitars but I always watch videos of phil explaining endless information.

[@strtofdrms]

Shanks and Phil X are great, but that intro music made me really miss the originality of Richie Sambora.

[@soeffingwhat]

True, its great that Bon Jovi can continue just as successfully but Richie Sambora adding something that can't be imitated or replaced.

[@kuga6566]

Richie Sambora was pretty much the only reason I ever listened to Bon Jovi to begin with. Really, everybody But Jon was, they're all absolute world-class musicians who are unbeatable at their craft, but Richie Sambora was very much the frontman without being the frontman. His voice carried like nobody else's and the Wanted Dead or Alive riff alone is something that nobody else could've come up with if they tried.

[@cliffordamey4822]

Phil X is a good player and seems to be a cool dude but I really miss Sambora in the band

[@raymondsaunders5890]

It's always fun to see and hear from the musicians about thier gear and see the passion about what they do. Very cool stuff!!

[@michaeltrees6872]

I love it. Just like me. Gotta have total control, in stereo. Pre-sound guys. :-). Makes me feel better. Really one of the coolest , most in depth rig rundowns ever. Perfect. I'm a Kemper guy live these days.

[@rjc7289]

Bon Jovi is fast becoming Jon's solo band with each passing year. Between Tico and David, who do you think will be next on the chopping block? I wonder if Richie and Alec are glad they're not a part of this debacle anymore?

[@richsmbr1544]

RJC 72 after the last couple of albums I bet Richie is so glad he left

[@clayheinzerling1852]

I don't really like the band but I'm super impressed that they aren't having techs doing any of their stuff

[@ShadeHope1969]

Love Shanks,I could sit and talk gear with him for days.When you have been in the buisness long enough and have the money

[@BoundlessWander]

Chris Kies said "Two birds stoned at once." Fucking awesome. TPB

[@theflyingalamo]

Brent Mccoy I caught that too

[@OzziePete1]

Phil X sent me here....... :-)

[@CaribSurfKing1]

This is the John Bongiovi band. This is not Bon Jovi

[@Hungry_Hunter]

I got this pseudo kind of clean lower mid pallet distortion that's kind of through a plexi with nothing on and one mic. Makes very little sense and I like all the wet stuff. Phil X is another story he just rocks!

[@middle_pickup]

I've watched this so much.

[@smacman68]

Phil makes a "statement" at 54:34 that he believes a neck pickup will dampen sustain with the magnet pull, and I hate to contradict Phil, but that has been proven to be a myth. I watched Will of Wills Easy guitar put a giant magnet (like a couple hundred pound pull magnet) and he placed it almost touching the strings, and it did not change the sustain one iota.

[@NotSosigRamsey]

Dimebag Dio Kilmister So what? let Phil believe what he wants

[@johnsmith-bk4ps]

think so? then why do you slur words with a magnet like that close to your head? it happened on tv live with a news anchor

[@tibhorvath]

This is great and extremely informative, but I miss the days when Bon Jovi was a five piece kick ass band... unfortunately now it’s just a cover band with a cast of thousands on stage 🙁

[@nathanmueller1838]

I disagree

[@dbuzard326]

John really adds a lot of U2 textures!

[@MoonshineSazerac]

I fucking love Phil. Every interview just feels like a FrettedAmericana blowout, it kinda proves he's the same guy across the board.

[@quadrogong1111]

Is he on blow or just really excited all the time?

[@therestorationshop]

No blow, he's that way all the time... literally all the time.