Rig Rundown - Johnny Winter

www.premierguit... PG's Jason Shadrick is On Location in Davenport, IA, Redstone Room where he catches up with legendary blues guitarist Johnny Winter where he talks about his vintage Gibson Firebird, Lazer guitar, Music Man 4x10 combo, and why he uses Chorus all the time.
For more Rig Rundowns or to watch one of Premier Guitar's 1600 other videos online, be sure to visit www.premierguit...

[@BluesJammer69]

no one sounds like Johnny, that raw texas blues ...love it!!!

[@zachmartin1458]

4 flat tires on a muddy road.

[@chais1111]

much respect for Johnny winter a true class act and genuine blues man who never deviated from his roots. R.I.P

[@swedishguitarist1]

He seems like such a humble man. Certainly the best...

[@shawnreese6538]

Perfect observation. I met him in the early 80's after a show, probably at his peak, and he was so humble. He played what was probably the best guitar performance I had ever heard, out of tons of top guitarists, and he was like talking to your next door neighbor, lol. What a guy, and a talent. He was the cream of the crop.

[@fredgrant7774]

👍

[@timcornelius1912]

​@@shawnreese6538still is

[@booitsnick]

I can confirm this. He didn’t care who you where as long as you loved guitar and the blues he was instantly your friend. I have one of his thumb picks and I make sure every single day it is on top of my amp still. It’s my most prized possession

[@michaelhughes7267]

He played until his last days! A great way to go

[@green323turbo]

Damn .... we miss Johnny !!!!!! Paul Nelson deserves a lot of credit for helping take care of Johnny in his older years.

[@igorflexus9493]

He must be the cooolest artist alive. Everytime someone talks, he is the most polite person on earth. Gotta love this man

[@tangointhenight763]

L

[@johnbug1334]

@@tangointhenight763 what you mean L guy? Winter was just a good dude

[@Michael-dz9vk]

❤ lovely to hear johnny winter discuss his guitars and amps,a real unique legend in the world of guitar players ,gone but not forgotten, ❤

[@tatsandteles]

I agree. I've seen him so many times, and he's always delivered. Even recently, to have a guy his age still doing it is simply amazing. They lead him out and he sits in that chair and proceeds to kick your ass. My only guitar teacher handed me 'Johnny Winter And' and said, 'come back in a month when you've absorbed this and we'll talk'. Best advice I ever got.

[@jrlobmaster6943]

Man this guy could flat out play, a true guitar wizard! An American treasure.R.I.P

[@megatrends]

One of the best ever. R.I.P. guitar God.

[@jebbrown3911]

John B. Q

[@donnmon]

Johnny Winter is one of the the best guitar players that ever lived. He has played with everyone and continues to tour endlessly. There has not been any guitar player that I have met or played with who has not stolen or tried to steal some of his licks or phrasing. Shame on the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame.

[@blueleadguitar]

Johnny is a legend! It's great to see someone of his stature so down to earth and sincere. Excellent.

[@Karmannah]

One of the MOST influential guitar guys of my boyhood...the amazing Johnny Winter!! I miss him big time. Back in the day...his speed and fluency were second to none. Super upload and thanks!! ~KJ

[@luigitarallo2690]

This underrated man was a proper blues tornado and and incredible kind guy.

[@VICTORFERREIA1987]

Jhonny is the incarnation of the blues. The best..

[@shawnreese6538]

Someone noted he was humble... Perfect observation. I met him in the early 80's after a show, probably at his peak, and he was so humble. He played what was probably the best guitar performance I had ever heard, out of tons of top guitarists, and he was like talking to your next door neighbor, lol. What a guy, and a talent. He was the cream of the crop. Another person mentioned speed and fluency. That is another perfect observation, I never heard anyone who had that combination. Some had speed, others had chops, some improvised, etc., he had it all. He was the guitar players' guitar player, and when you heard his music, it was your music!!

[@notalcno9]

I saw Johnny on that 2012 tour and as usual he was standard brilliant, I expect nothing different from him, he always gave his all right up to the day he died. RIP Johnny, your sorely missed.

[@OMMIAMSalvation]

I love how his rig's just a guitar into a pedal into an amp. Nothing special, nothing artificial. Beautifully simple.

[@Duende70]

...and trebles up no bass...

[@johngerson7335]

I was fortunate enough to meet JW (thanks Shane!) and got to strum that Firebird while he was on this tour. One of a kind, that particular gentleman. A blues treasure for sure. Rest peacefully Mr. Winter.

[@WheatonBrad]

Johnny is truly a gentle soul. He's very open to meeting his fans and speaking with them. I count myself as one of the lucky ones to have been able to do that this year. He even signed the pickguard from my Firebird V, and we had a nice conversation about mine versus his.

[@KaiserSoze-vx6vo]

RIP Johnny Winter!!! A fantastic Blues Guitar player. His music is legendary and that was a great interview. Rock and Roll Hootchie Koo is awesome.

[@ChrisPippin]

This man is why all rock and roll didn't die in the 70s to disco. God bless you Johnny Winter, God bless you!

[@bindig1]

A real Texas bluesman. Legendary. His stories of playing the clubs as a teenager are amazing.

[@miked3317]

A legend. His recordings with Muddy are insanely good. I was lucky enough to catch a concert he played in Sweden on his last tour, in Gothenburg-Liseberg. There were probably less than 500 people in the audience, the sound -system was awful and the bass-player was hyper active, probably to raise a bit the energy, he was kind of a pain, Johnny was obviously in bad shape and it was visible, but every note he played was like gold to my ears, to see and hear irl the legend I was listening on and on on records as a kid was pretty unreal and a real blessing. Hats off (large hat 😂) to that incredible guitarist and slide-legend… there weren’t many like him even back in the days. Thanks for all the fantastic music Johnny! ❤

[@kj677]

Gotta love Johnny Winter!! The man's got classic guitars, classic amps and a vintage pedal....and plays the hell out of them! That's what they were made for folks. Great job by Jason, good interview. I could listen to Johnny talk all day man!

[@jerrysanders9101]

One of the last of the legends.. to think that this type of man, no longer exists. Very sad. RIP

[@vulcangunner58]

Saw Johnny back in '92...I'll never forget that show...He opened for Thorogood, and stole the night!...Waterloo, NJ...RIP Mr. Winter.

[@GypsyLakeLady]

Johnny has two other "Lazar" guitars, a creamy white one and a baby blue one with sparkling stars on it. Mark Erlewine gave him the black one when we were leaving to go on tour from Austin , Texas. He picked it up in a San Francisco Hotel room and started playing it and has never stopped! Johnny can make any guitar sound good but when he is playing the Lazar or his older Firebird. He makes them sound great! ! Love ya Johnny glad you are still with us. Jeanne

[@theroadking547]

Awesome, I've been listening to Johnny Winter for a long time, from back in the 70s.

[@theonemodifier]

i like the music man better too, since the 80's, best tone to me, it's a 112RP. amp still sounds great. lucked out and found another one last year, a 1978 "mint" cond. that had been stored covered in a church storage room for 25 years . so using both.

[@sunking2001]

Johnny...I've seen you 6 times and loved every minute. You were the best! YOU knew how to rock...and YOU knew how to play the best blues. Nobody was/is better! We will miss you.

[@MudtoyTT]

I saw Johnny play at Peabody's in Virginia Beach back around 1980. It was seriously one of the best shows I ever saw to this day. He was carried off the stage... RIP

[@winterguitarkingyea]

Johnny Winter is the greatest of em all without a doubt. Seeing him manytimes in his youth till now no one could play sing like him. Thank God for the living Master of Blues Rock a Guitar King Legend ... Hail The King Johnny Winter Guitar King ...

[@stevenkardas]

Rediscovering the talent and exceptional musician's like Jonny Winter and his peers from that era. These people were from another planet.

[@dougmeyer4649]

A complete rig rundown plus a B B King story in @ 6 mins. That's perfect!

[@jboughtin7522]

Just chiming in on the pro comments. I've been a fan a Johnny since I was a young teenager. He has been a huge inspiration and influence on me as a musician. Yea Johnny!!!!

[@joebax88]

RIP Johnny...Thanks you. You've always been one of my favorites and I look forward to jamming with you at the big gig in the sky...God Bless the Blues.

[@adanacman666]

saw him play in about 88 or 89, in a bar, in thunder bay, ontario,him, and his kick ass rythem section ,and he just KILLED IT, It was one of the greatest shows, I ever saw,he never said a word to the audience,the lazer did his talking,but at one point he closed his eyes, and tilted his head back,smiled, and let out a moan, like he had the best orgasm, ever,he was in the zone that night,like he was possessed, people were just speechless,saw him a few times after that, but he never even came close to that night,RIP johnny winters

[@wolfgangmarkusgstrein8522]

A man, his voice, guitar and amp. That´s it!

[@mrmattstrat]

That is so true hawg427! I remember when my fancy rack quit working, (bad cord) half way through a gig in Taber Alberta & all i had was my old sd-1 boss pedal. We plugged the output straight into the soundboard , set the reverb,eq was flat,i turned the gain up on the pedal and used my strat volume knob for the solos. Whith the new strings & active pickup the sound was pure&f*%kin awsome,It saved the gig & my ass,and gave me a good lesson about tone that i wont forget!...A good PA doesnt hurt.

[@Avalanche1368]

Proof that sometimes less is more! Great tone out of a smaller rig than what most people would bring to their local bar gig. It's his talent not the gear. At age 68 one of the best bluesmen still around today and he kicks ass as a record producer.. If Muddy was still alive today I think he would agree with that after the grammy's he won with the records Johnny produced and played on for him. With Johnny it's always been about the music and staying true to his blues and rock roots.

[@isScoobyDooby]

Love you Johnny. Peace Man . Big Smiles from Australia Buddy.

[@MrOhjok]

Thanks for the great music Johnny. You will be missed. A sad day, all over the world. R.I.P.

[@xkecoupe]

the young fellow knows what he is talking about professionally and Johnny is very talkative.

[@recordguy4321]

One of the greatest shows ever at the Ludlow Garage in Cincinnati late 1970 was Johnny and Rick Derringer right before the Johnny Winter And live album had been recorded . Had been waiting a couple years to see johnny and he didn't dissapoint. In fact with Rick playing off him and playing some great lead and rhythm it was shall I say the perfect combination.

[@gearhead2017]

I've heard a lot about johnnys music but never listened to it til now,the man IS a legend

[@balerjohnson3099]

A legend and a treasure.God Bless Johnny Winter .

[@lovethosebudgies]

Why do people expect a legend to remain frozen in time and not age? We all age. JW has left incredible recorded music and concert experiences etched in our memories. Give the man his dues.

[@gnatiu]

Anyone who thought you need tons of pedals and walls of Marshalls... and especially those, who say boss is no good. This is a lesson to learn. R.I.P Johnny Winter.

[@mikite57]

I miss Johnny. From the mid-seventies until his last tour, he was always a treat to see live.

[@jamesmcgrath6938]

A true legend. He is sadly missed.

[@olddoggeleventy2718]

What a great guy. Phenomenal musician.

[@billyshane3804]

Johnny Winter - Champion & Legend

[@DetroitDogTrainer]

Very cool, glad to see he's still kicking!

[@GarySchipper1]

One of the greatest musical artists ever. It's hard to believe he's gone.

[@kamaboko1]

I love these no BS rig setups. Back to the basics.

[@daniellecornwell797]

Johnny's definitely tearing it up in ROCK and BLUES HEAVEN! I'll always love your music. Rest in Peace Johnny.

[@martianshoes]

I saw Johnny in 1973 in front of a stack of white Marshalls...if you closed your eyes, at his live show you heard a man wanting to really, REALLY do damage to the roof of the hall...he shredded before the shredder's did and had a sustain that would make your socks fall down...

[@guitarfan1]

Very moving to hear him talk about meeting BB King at 17. Saw Johnny play at BB Kings Club in Time Square around '00 - '01

[@seanbeckwith]

Whoa.....Jason rolls with it, big time...props. Two worlds collide and both shine!

[@siskokidd]

Been watching many of these rig videos, and those doing the interviews do very well with letting the musician's tell their stories, and explain their choice of guitars and gear.

[@charlesdarwin6789]

What a humble guy. Rip

[@erosionhead420]

I just recently discovered Johnny Winter. I can’t believe no one ever told me more about him.

[@jaysapp7494]

Check out Johnny Winter Captured live. It's one of the best displays of his abilities. Highway 61 and Sweet Papa John are timeless

[@Jfhfi678]

Faded with time, he was a pretty big star in the 70’s. Too much guitar for regular folk…

[@jonathanclarke2582]

I just like the simplistic rig of Johnny. He doesn't use much to get a tone that we strive for. Nice video guys.

[@sirstashalot7441]

Love how the whole time he is ready, keeps getting his fretting hand ready in case he gets asked to play. Unfortunately they didn't ask though lol

[@shordford]

I could listen to Johnny telling stories all day.

[@gabrielcallizaya7412]

Johnny is now jamming with Paul Nelson. Rest in peace both❤

[@natesmith6534]

R.I.P johnny we will miss you all

[@alphasxsignal]

A great rocker and will be missed. Im glad I got to see him play.

[@denis_ericb]

absolute legend.

[@RuroiniStenchin]

love it when the artists actually do the rig rundowns themselves, you can tell they care. If I was famous I'd definitely do em' myself. I love talking about gear.

[@colico14]

Much respect.

[@JosmanCiresSintes]

FANTASTIC ! JOHNNY IN OUR HEARTS

[@rockerman3407]

Wau hermano que entrevista hermosa.... Escucho a mi hermano Winter desde los 14 años tengo 29 nunca supe los detalles de sus instrumentos.... Muy buena entrevista mis respetos! Y la humildad de Johnny hermosa. saludos

[@lezzliea]

Got to love Johnny, legendary blues man. R.I.P.

[@ΔΗΜΗΤΡΗΣΧΡΙΣΤΟΠΟΥΛΟΣ-η9φ]

He was a great great guitarist and a very good man. R.I.P.

[@geeterman98]

I've watched many of these rig rundowns and have seen 10's of thousands of dollars worth of equipment to make some of these guys sound good.. Johnny uses guitar into an old assed corus to amp and sounds GREAT! ..love you Johnny!

[@device9]

I saw him at the belly Up Tavern in San Diego in 1997. Same guitar looked about the same. The lights came on suddenly and he was crouching in the corner because his albino eyes got hurt. His roadies came over and shaded him until the lights could be turned off. They kept the lights low for him and he totally shredded it was amazing. He played a triangle stack of 3 fender twins.

[@postpaleo]

huge, loved you at Woodstock

[@albanantonarnold]

amazing Jason! You did a great interview- Johnny seems to really be lucid and healthy- this is a document with some real historical significance!

[@CrazyHenkie777]

Glad to see Johnny is still doing well...

[@F3FisGoodforYou]

This guy is such a legend.

[@9childofburningtime9]

Man! The legend himself! I'm dying to see this man before he passes!

[@allengoyne]

Much love to JW and family. Rest in peace.

[@franckdelamarasse5129]

In the recent documentary they made about Johnny (Down and Dirty, 2014), the sequence when they let him know that they've quitted giving him methadone and that he's actually been sober for months.... man, this was the most touching moment!...

[@siskokidd]

Can't believe JW still has his original Firebird, AND takes it on the road! Given his past and excesses, you'd think that guitar would have been lost or stolen a long time ago.

[@guitarhack210]

lucky bastard , I have been listening to Johnny all my life and wished I could just meet him once, probably never will

[@upmybumful]

You are a legend my man , may you keep on keepin on

[@thomasmorrismusic]

Johnny Winter was/is a game changer for inspiration for playing guitar-I still have over 20 of his albums+tapes and CD*S-he*s tops. PIECES AND BIT*S is a great VHS OR DVD COLLECTION OF HIS Performances.I have a 1999 epiphone Firebird Guitar that had a signed autograph by Johnny in it-from Pieces and Bits

[@evelasq1]

I got to see him perform at the BB KINGS club in New York CIty. I enjoyed the opening act as well as Johnny Winter. Peace, Flood!

[@luiestum]

Cool stuff, one of the greats of rock n roll.

[@POsomething]

R.I.P.

[@TheBFN]

I love you johnny... But it breaks my ♥ to watch you in interviews in your later years...we think of are idols as immortals forever young and doing there thing.. I really hope you went someplace where you can Rock on and be happy...tell jimi and stevie i said hi.. And keep on rocking

[@Teachering]

A few summers ago - just prior to Johnny Winter's demise - I discovered the meaning of the phrase, face melting. Yes, when Johnny played guitar your face would melt. At the time I was under the impression that he was using a Fender Super Reverb, due to its shape, and was surprised that the amp put out that much volume. Now I know that it was obviously his 120W Music Man amplifier that I was hearing.

[@learnerlearns]

Very Cool! Nice to hear this legend is still alive, and such a pleasant down-to-Earth guy too! Simple old-school rig for real rockin! First class!

[@fourthlayer]

A great inspirational guitarist

[@postpaleo]

missed you, many times after

[@dbarber97]

R.I.P. Johnny---you were one BADASS plank spanker!!

[@kayaker4132]

He's the best. You watch rig rundowns and see huge pedal boards, vintage and boutique amps and then "Here Comes Johnny!" Old guitar into a old no frills amp and he wails. Listen to the albums and watch the videos....he's the man!

[@thiscorrosion900]

What pedal does he even use? A freakin Boss Chorus pedal!!! That's insane.

[@frankperricone2065]

Johnny used to play in a couple hundred person venue when I was to young to get in and at 15 for some reason I got in I think the door man thought I was someone else who used to go there alot, I looked older then 15. It was called Pastimes Pub on L.I. N.Y. He realy intrigued me playing slide and he looked kinda like an alien being so thin and an Albino. He would play there a couple of times a year. Then seeing him when they used to have concerts at an outdoor venue in Central Park, I played his album Second Winter till there was no more groves on it. Last time I saw him live was about 10-12 years ago and he had sit down and play.