Rig Rundown - Eric Johnson

www.premierguit... PG's Jason Shadrick is On Location at the Pabst Theatre in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with guitarist Eric Johnson. See more Rig Rundowns at www.premierguit...

[@MrDevtun]

Eric has the Bob Ross like smooth mellow voice. I think I read somewhere a while back Eric is into clean living - no weed or hard drugs.

[@rustyshackleford3855]

No weed? Yaaaaa ok

[@tylergavin4757]

He has always been like that.

[@SoreEyeMusic]

He just really seems so effing high right here xD All the little quirks are just really relatable. The whole timing thing, seems like he's barely keeping it together right here xD

[@flyjoseph6355]

I wanna give Eric a big ol hug

[@barkulator]

A Southern gentleman who plays impossibly beautifully.

[@anthonybenavides720]

When he played in San Antonio this past August I met him and he is absolutely the most humble down to earth person I've ever met. He was really kind, answered all of my stupid guitar questions that I had for him, and was really patient the whole time. Definitely a class act, Eric is.

[@Snowy0123]

I am obsessed with every note Eric Johnson plays, to me he's the greatest guitarist ever.. I don't know what it is about his playing that effects me like that..

[@Snowy0123]

oh man,Lonely in the night has been my favorite solo of all time .i agree.

[@RolanTHUNDER]

I love Eric Johnson! He's such a great guitarist and musician and an all round nice, humble guy :)

[@stephenowen3383]

+RolanTHUNDER yeah he is awesome. I really hate a lot of these virtuoso musicians like Vai and Bonamassa (not that he really fits into that category but he is a great player but a bit arrogant) but Johnson and Paul Gilbert are really cool guys from the look of things.

[@RolanTHUNDER]

Stephen Owen I actually love Vai. He's amazing and he's not overlly proud or arrogant. Gilbert is one of my fav players too. He's so down to earth and always chilled :)

[@stephenowen3383]

RolanTHUNDER I just think he has a bit of an ego

[@RolanTHUNDER]

Stephen Owen Hmm, not that I've really noticed that especially when you listen to how modestly he speaks about his own playing on interviews. But all people analyse others differently :)

[@stephenowen3383]

RolanTHUNDER I was watching his rig run down and he seemed a bit too aloof. I agree though, I suppose people have different opinions on how people behave.

[@ZackBrannon]

man he really needs to chill out

[@DavidCrites07]

Uh…yeah

[@anthonyjohnson4734]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@zx7-rr486]

Amazing player, a true inspiration. He has magic in his fingers for sure.

[@DrDougRoss]

One of the Greatest Guitarists in the world - certainly one of my heros - with such a friendly, cool and humble approach. Thanks Eric for taking the time to show us your rig.

[@hamburginimercy]

Eric Johnson is like the Carl Sagan of rock.

[@jeffbeck6501]

And by the way, The earth is flat. Research it.

[@lucasplowman3245]

@@jeffbeck6501 wow…

[@sandrosadhukhan]

@@jeffbeck6501 you must have stopped taking your meds😂

[@jeffbeck6501]

@@sandrosadhukhan Hate is all you can add?

[@sandrosadhukhan]

@@jeffbeck6501 take your meds...

[@1974jester]

It's cool to see his rig. It proves you don't need thousands of dollars worth of pedals to get a tone that is amazing. And it's nice to see an artist who knows his stuff and not a tech who blah blah blahs all over the place.

[@x7stringinJSCx]

just thousands of dollars worth of amps lol. try buying a good jmp for less than a thousand. still.. he is the man.

[@andrewchute9391]

the pedals aren't where his money is. Right now, for example, the going rate for a 1958 strat with original parts, especially in the condition he had, is over $30,000, and he had 2 there (not 58's but his year is the same, I just know about 58's because I just bought one). The going rate for one of those late 60's Marshall heads is between $5000 and $6000. The going rate for a pre-CBS Fender Twin is also multiple thousands. Simply acquiring a pre-CBS Fender Princeton Reverb takes about $4000.

[@x7stringinJSCx]

He can afford it though lol. chump change.

[@SenselessTalk]

He got a lot of money but won't let go of his old stuff, I seen many rigs here, his by far is the most humane of all, and his rig shows that you dont need fancy stuff to do everything.

[@jamessouleyrette3370]

most of a player's tone is in his/her fingers, rig just accents that.

[@ScoutSniper1990]

Lol try and find an Echoplex and or Memoryman for sale today. Those aren't things you let go.

[@BudMovies]

"So Eric, which guitars did you bring on this tour?" Eric: "Yeah.."

[@bingefeller]

For those of you who are interested: Eric, on his Strats, sets his action at 2mm when measured at the 17th fret on both the bass and treble sides. He likes his necks with no relief.

[@0311campbelljk]

Eric could tell me a bed time story anytime.

[@ericjohnsonsdover]

Yess 😂

[@SRNF]

Never seen someone so chill and casual about amazing antique gear.

[@joynthis]

I went out and bought all this crap, but I don't sound like Eric. What gives?

[@1958marky]

+joynthis ---- You don't have his FINGERS.

[@billyrouse4813]

Easiest answer anyone will give you: you're not Eric Johnson. A lot of a guitarist's tone is in their hands.

[@joynthis]

OK, I'll go buy more stuff. Thanks!

[@davidnuijten8133]

joynthis buy eric johnson

[@kierenmoore3236]

Did you try getting baked out of your gourd? Seems to work for him ...

[@TheOldOakSyndicate]

"Yeah....uh hu....yeah.....dang wall warts...yeah....."

[@SohamBhattacharya3105]

***** I laughed too hard at this! :P

[@KeeperOfPoops]

Eric is so friendly and i love him so much, i love how calm and collected he is and he definately knows how to do go through his gear

[@TheScr4tchy]

Two real dudes talking about real stuff. Thanks Jason and Eric.

[@LeOnIdAs162]

Such a down to earth guy ! He seems to me like a really warm hearted kind of person ! He's for sure a great role model for guitarists

[@MattSmith-iq1ld]

A friend of mine knew Eric for quite some time. No folks, he doesn't smoke dope. he's clean as a whistle. He is an EXTREMELY shy person. Perhaps the shyest and most solitary person to ever play rock guitar and be famous. Steve Morse said once that he's just a guitar genius that comes from another planet. He has a real hard time socializing with people and such. he sounds chill probably to deal with some of the nervousness he feels. If he could never do another interview he would, but everyone wants to talk with him.

[@pabdiary]

I don't think there's anything strange about a brilliant, talented, middle aged guitarist like EJ to be so mellow. He seems at peace, I don't think he's stoned. Look at Slash, he' a mellow fellow too..

[@MrFrankeesh]

one of the best guitar players ever

[@alextw13jf]

Humbleness, kindness and calm definitely mark the difference between pompous, arrogant suckers and real stars; Eric is a real star indeed.

[@1sainteve1]

For Eric's rig rundown, they could've just shown his fingers for 10 seconds. That's where the magic is.

[@skaf008]

what a great dude

[@windowjeff]

I had the honor of playing with Eric a few weeks ago. He's the most amazing/humble guy I've ever played with. Never forget it.

[@davedextermusic7129]

Awesome! How did that come about?

[@windowjeff]

Rock n roll Fantasy Camp! ! Played with him, Joe Perry, Mike Anthony, Steve Vai, and Orianthi all in 3 days. Met a bunch of other old rockers from the 80's as well. Gary Hoey, Elliot easton ect. A great time. Would recommend it to anyone.

[@educassiano]

anyone else who just can't visualize Eric angry or something, I mean, actually being agressive, cause I just can't.

[@davidgalaviz2004]

Yeah he's like Mr. Rogers

[@nickkokenspargermusic8666]

I’ve seen it with my very own eyes.. I felt bad for his guitar tech

[@thunderbird7703]

@@nickkokenspargermusic8666 that's interesting! Could you please tell me more about that story?

[@nickkokenspargermusic8666]

@@thunderbird7703 for sure ! It was at his Ah Via Musicom show in Columbus Ohio and right before or right after he played Manhattan in the first set one of his amps blew out… he basically had to stop playing and try to fix it or keep going and giving us awesome music … thankfully he kept going but at the cost of his dirty rhythm amp… the sound people at the venue were also ticking him off because they weren’t listening to his commands , it was honestly a really sad show because of all the technical difficulties and I felt bad for his guitar tech because Eric was kinda taking out his frustrations on him but it was still an amazing show !

[@hannsandres]

"This is my signature Strat. Yeah I changed this pickup (of my signature guitar)." LOL

[@TheEowli]

he is so down to earth.. i love that man!

[@MsRussianbaker]

"yeah aha yeah, its from the sixties" so high

[@greenplasticwateringcan]

Eric Johnson - the king of musicians' ASMR

[@jordan1111ism]

Eric just seems likes the nicest guy dude like this dude just needs a hug lmfao

[@savageharley8172]

The best tone I ever heard.

[@astroandyborgloh]

A monster player, a nice guy, and an enthusiastic musician. I like it, when someone lets the music speak, and not the words. Just discovered him a few months ago, because Dweezil was talking about him in a video. thanks you Dweezil for this, and thank you Frank for Dweezil!

[@SleepFan771]

Man he's so chill, I want to sit down with him as he jams on that sweet SG.

[@ibemanny99]

Either he's high or really tired man I don't think I heard a more laid back voice coming from anyone... o.O

[@Drforrester31]

I think it's just that ol' southern drawl coupled with a laid back attitude

[@ibemanny99]

plus apparent lack of sleep.

[@davedextermusic7129]

Dr. Forrester It doesn't matter what he's saying, I hear it as "aw shucks".

[@KazzarEngel]

man he is chill

[@rumsfield78]

Got to see EJ last night..great dude...Autographed my stuff and gave me one of his Tortex picks!

[@bullyblade]

I Have seen him. Many many times since the early 80's In many a small club talked with him several Times. and he is one of only a handful I can say I never ever even seen him drinking mustless high. He is a very laid back humble and nice man. and one hell of a Player!!!!!!!!!!

[@Tacklebox455]

love this simple layout that achives great tone and vintage gear who couldnt like this

[@greenman9123]

"Yeahhh uh huh yeahhhh." God bless this man.

[@CamiloVelandia]

Seems like such a nice dude. awesome.

[@ThomasMetal75]

"Yeah, uh huh...., yeah" Thank you Mr. Eric Johnson! At least you were nice enough to personally give Premier Guitar the tour of your gear.

[@grajem26]

I have met eric, and he is the most genuine humble person ive met, he is just a great human being, =)

[@tylergrove7700]

Such a simple and elegant set up sounds beautiful

[@Slears]

3:41 "yeah....aha..yeah..." lol his Pedalboard looks like found somewhere in a basement after years. Such an awesome guy

[@Michaelgracon]

It's literally a board of wood! Still cracks me up

[@keithcarman5381]

I have met him before, a few years ago and he's has a real laid back way about himself

[@ibanezguitars4021]

He is a great person!!! very kind when i met him.

[@giovanniwitjamulia467]

3:42 "yeah... oho . . .yeah" LOL

[@rareform6747]

This is when Premier was Great !

[@Baghuul]

Eric Johnson comes off as one of those guys his neighbors and friends say "oh he seemed like a nice guy" after cops find 20 bodies buried in his basement.

[@warvandal3443]

"Some call this a '58 Strat with maple neck..I call it a Slingblade"......😎

[@MyDemon32]

Nige Robinson YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!

[@ruiolas]

I want Eric Johnson to tell me bedtime stories.

[@ericjohnsonsdover]

I love his yeah aha yeah it gets me every time 😂

[@fraterlucifer888]

EJ is right about everything with his tone,,,, the old story about batteries sounding different,,,the man is a genius,,,and hes so laid back about it

[@ruchirsajwan]

Love this guy, thanks for interviewing him

[@cowboytonydee]

3:58 wtf?

[@chromewolf8432]

He's high as a kite....

[@TheOccasionalss]

+ChromeWolf Seems like it! He sounds so calm all the time.

[@RolanTHUNDER]

+ChromeWolf I highly doubt that...he's just a mild mannered, cool headed person.

[@pingshanluan8049]

Dude, EJ has been a long time vegan. You think a guy who doesn't drink bear or eat burger takes dope?

[@ravfontanilla3211]

+Pingshan Luan Right on!!! True Vegans stray away from drinking bears!!!

[@guthrie1181]

+Rav Fontanilla I'm vegan, and I too shy away from drinking bears. Beer is fair game though.

[@nevillejamesmartin1556]

EJ is so chill I had to check my playback speed when he was talking as I thought it was on 75%

[@pab265]

He looks like such a nice bloke. The whole way he explained everything, with all the detail we wanted to know. He's ace.

[@jamescuttsmusicjcm5013]

Always been a massive fan of eric johnsons "clean" tone. Fender twins ftw!

[@zuperbal]

Eric is a very cool guitar-man, he seems so like a down to earth guy!

[@Nielmah]

he is without a doubt baked as hell

[@bigblob27]

This guy's so chill.

[@thecompleteofficial]

This is amazing. How cool is it to get a look at EJ's rig...by EJ himself!

[@MrPig58]

mind boggling; this is intricate stuff. One brilliant guy, Eric.

[@spider62able]

Just a note on the vintage pedals(The fuzz-face,tube screamer, and wah) Eric still uses batteries. He says they give him a better tone.

[@MarvinSheats]

That was a great question regarding switching between Fender and Gibson.

[@bigrigJim]

He always has those cheap straps , the kind that they throw in for free when you buy a new guitar .

[@JeremyBlant]

Might have something to do with the resonance of a guitar with a lighter strap versus a heavier strap? EJ obsesses over tone so much so that’d be my line of thought 🤔

[@artikos8750]

@@JeremyBlant xd

[@oansun]

Eric Johnson: The Bob Ross of Rig Rundowns

[@musicmann1967]

He also said he could tell if they were Duracells or not. I don't tend believe that (deep in my heart) but I love that he said it! Excellent player.

[@Satansbitch101]

PG: "so, Eric, what guitars are you using on this tour?" Eric: "yeah.."

[@ColinBrain]

Ellen Degeneres has a pretty good rig, huh?

[@patkeating97]

I never thought EJ would do an interview like this. Great stuff.

[@MuvoTX]

Un-F-ing believable... such a simple straight up rig can get such sound.

[@muhammadghur]

His rig has never changed a lot for like 20+ years?? His tone is in his fingers!!

[@MrKnisterable]

Oh, yes, you´re right. I had a problem with only 5 effect pedals and it took 10 minutes to find the cable which was damaged. I use the effect loop and five pedals, that needs SEVEN cables. I am very nervous if i need to play a gig. It is safer without, but it sounds so good with chorus, delay and so on.

[@VitorDuzarte]

His rig is almost like a museum

[@charlieg7388]

Eric Johnson must be the most chilled musician on the planet

[@darth_vyper]

I use Ernie Ball Slinkys the orange pack on the electric and Ernie Ball Earthwood medium to heavy on my acoustic and they never break or go tone dead after a week or two.

[@williamthomasmi10]

For one, using more speakers inherently creates "more" to the sound. But as far as stereo delays, getting a legitimate stereo effect definitely creates some huge, beautiful sounds.

[@CornwallguitarlessonsCoUk]

What is that noise at 4:00 ?? Love this rig rundown by the way

[@agentapathy]

Man, Johnson is mad mellow. He might as be the Mr.Rogers of the guitar world.

[@Quikfingers]

I like when players really know what they're playing. Some of these I watch the player has no idea what gear they have, strings they use...etc. Tech just builds the rig and they have no idea. It's refreshing.

[@Slugg-O]

Damn he's a skinny dude. I've seen him live a few times over the years, and of course on TV, and he is either perpetually stoned or one of the most mellow guys I've ever seen.

[@sixstringfretter]

Every piece of gear is vintage. I don't think there's anything later than 1995 in his rig. I compare this to someone like Alex Lifeson of Rush and it's like night and day! Crazy!

[@TurquoiseArmies]

hiiiiigh! What a legend!

[@ScoutSniper1990]

The thing I love about Erics rundown is he doesn't need a Tech to tell him what pedal does what .. He knows cos he set it up . That's how artist should be .. If nickelbacks guitarist had a rundown he'd be like .. "Hey Joe .. What's this shiny one do again?"

[@The19763]

3:59!! lol

[@ryan.1357]

Try to imagine a future EJ rig rundown in which Eric describes how much he loves his new Axe-FX and powered speaker cabinets. Just try.

[@ryan.1357]

***** Really? Not to say you're wrong, but I'm having a hard time picturing that.

[@0Heavy0Metal0]

This guy is such a badass. One of the, if not the, Godfather of Shred. He started it all. Vinnie Moore is another, but a little later I think. My God, just look at his guitars! Not one, but TWO 57 Strats!

[@guitarman91887]

LOL I was just laughing at the way he said that. Hes so chilled out

[@shango02005]

Great work, guys! I love PG! You know just the right questions to ask! :) Thanks!

[@jeffbeck6501]

He used to have a feed that would let him run direct through the PA board with no amp for a super ultra clean sound. Way cleaner than the 2 Fender amps which is a warmer clean. This clean was a direct sound clean and it was kind of awesome, and he could mix the direct clean with the amp clean and really dial it in. Maybe he does not do that anymore, or maybe he just did not reveal that trick. He would do that, and you would say to yourself, how is he getting that clean of a sound. It confused you.

[@hawg427]

His rig is very simple compared to some I seen videos on. But at the end it's the Tone that counts :-)

[@sharktroubles]

Wow! I think time is accelerating. I remember reading that Frank Zappa was a fan of the Electromagnets when Johnson played fusion style guitar for that outfit in the mid-seventies. Eric's first solo "Seven Worlds" was recorded in '79 - almost 35 years ago. Of course, you probably know all of this.

[@joniiboy]

he is just soo baked

[@DanzSlash]

love how he says 'yeah', sounds stoned maaan.

[@Apirlify]

Yesssss!! He is so awesome :)