Rig Rundown - Justin Johnson

Smooth blues slide? Check. Mellow, soulful tones with an edge? Check. Epic gear? Check and double-check.
It’s hard to stand out as a blues guitarist, but ‪@justinjohnsonlive‬ has built an enormous following of loyal fans because he is too good to ignore. You’ve all probably seen the wild, long-haired dude tearing it up on a 3-string shovel. The novelty might have earned him over 1-million followers, but what makes people come back for more is his undeniably cool music. Johnson invited John Bohlinger and the PG team to his Nashville home to take us through his rig.
Full Rig Details: bit.ly/JustinJ...
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#rigrundown #justinjohnson #premierguitar

[@premierguitar]

Full Rig Details: bit.ly/JustinJohnsonRR Subscribe to PG's Channel: bit.ly/SubscribePGKZbin Don't Miss a Rundown: bit.ly/RIgRundownENL Merch & Magazines: shop.premierguitar.com

[@bldallas]

Another thought, I really like this longer format Rig Rundown with the actual PLAYER, and not just the guitar tech. I know some players are hard to get. Others won’t put much effort into it. But when it clicks, like this one with Justin, it’s awesome!

[@Little960]

Justin is an amazing musician, one of the best. Thank you for having him on Rig Rundown

[@iDannyism]

I'm always shocked when I meet someone who doesn't know about Justin, such a cool guy and an amazing talent. Great rundown.

[@sheffieldlane5769]

He basically taught me how to play guitar. Not personally obviously, but his lessons/courses got me over that beginner "road to no where" hump. I'm still what I would call a beginner, but only for lack of practice, he opened up the instrument for me, which has given me endless personal enjoyment.

[@iDannyism]

@@sheffieldlane5769 That's awesome. I know for me, when I'm feeling less inspired, I go to Justins' channel and I immediately want to pick up a guitar. He's had a massive impact on my guitar journey for sure.

[@Mauitaoist]

I love Justin playing he's been a huge inspiration to me I got about 50 of its video saved and I play along with him as best I can...

[@allstopblue5717]

I understand what you’re saying. But at the end of the day he’s not a superstar, so it makes sense that tons of guitar players will have never heard of him. He is such an amazing talent though, blows my mind. There will always be guys like him in a multitude of genres. Thousands will swear by him and thousands more will have never heard of him. Lol music is wild and that’s why I love it. Love discovering new people

[@LoneWolf-McWeed]

I agree it’s just crazy “who??” they say 😂

[@guitarocd9984]

I was surprised to see a traditional Telecaster being his favorite.

[@bigdguitars]

Justin is a friend of mine. Literally!

[@richfiryn]

Very cool interview and tone tour with Justin. He brings the kitchen sink of tone to the party every time.

[@tbone25]

John may have to re record his top ten rig rundown video. That was awesome seeing Justin’s unique collection!

[@mrredritehand]

Heck yeah

[@cheenu711]

One of the best guitarists alive today. He's just insane.

[@cornanddonutsforeverr]

great job John ! this is one of the most interesting rundowns from a guy I've seen all over the internet for years ! Justin, keep rocking man your one of the most original artists I've seen in a while marching to the beat of your own drum ! best wishes to you guys !

[@pharmerdavid1432]

At 18:30 "open D or open E...?". I'm in E-flat/D-sharp standard, and in tune with JJ on the low string, so he's in-between E and D. JJ is a musicians musician, or even a drooling brain-damaged idiots musician (@me)?! Then at 22:00 JJ is also in E-flat, standard tuning this time instead of the chord, and when he talked about the communists banning guitar making it reminded me of Bozo Padunavic, a master luthier from Belgrade Yugoslavia (before it was broken-up in the 1990's), where they had the largest school of luthiers in Europe. He tried to escape with is wife, and got shot at as they were speeding away in a boat (if I remember correctly) and he got hit, which partially paralyzed his right arm, so when you shook hands his hand was awkward feeling. But he was still a master luthier, and had an acoustic guitar making school in San Diego back in 1990 I attended. Guitar making has come so far since then. I remember Taylor was just getting started in East San Diego at the time, some of my classmates went to work for him.

[@richardlynch5632]

Yep...Nothing changes the audiences perception of you than when your pick flies off and hits a baby🤣🤣🤣😎👍 So happy Premiere is giving Justin worldwide exposure. So well deserved 😎👍 This is the best Rig Rundown...Hands Down😎👍

[@mrredritehand]

Dude is a monster of a player.. And J.J.'s hair is the best in the biz hands down! This was awesome guys. Thank you!

[@premierguitar]

Our pleasure!

[@ayelmao1224]

Man has the hair of a guitar god and it shows in his playing

[@cAnthonyL]

The best one yet! I love the approach and Justin's ideas on simplicity and the origins of the blues musicality!

[@brendankinslow6559]

I think this is my favorite rundown ever. Justin has such a unique style and his gear is so much fun and out of the box. Really fun to watch! If I had a fraction of that gear I would never leave the house.

[@78tag]

With Bollinger interviewing Johnson how can you go wrong. Justin talking about different voices for different strings doesn't surprise me - I kinda figured he hears the world different than most of us.

[@redbeardpipes2939]

I built a guitar from a wildboarskull and a sheepsjaw, if I ever get the chance to bring it to you I bet you'd make it sound much better than I do in my videos 😂😂👍🏻 You rock Justin 🤘🏻👹🤘🏻

[@Bona19646]

Great to see John Bolger back on the tube!

[@artvandelay8030]

Yeah Justin Johnson is a freakin badass. Sweetest tone, swamp blues, down n dirty. Damn it's good. I'm pulling up stuff on his channel all the time. He's also a guitar tech wizard. Just FYI. 💯

[@reignoverclouds5842]

Is it just me or Justin is the sweetest person on Earth?

[@giovanniamore2438]

soooo underrated.. he's a genius ! instantlý opens up the desert or the mountains. where's mý moonshine..?!?

[@sgriffett541]

a new rig rundown with John!!!!

[@guitarsgroup8896]

Justin lives through guitar's sound!

[@bsjeffrey]

he's my current favorite guitar player, despite the fact i quit playing forever everytime i see him play.

[@rubboardcindy]

This guy is so awesome....I just discovered him a couple of years ago a lot of talent.....

[@schwarg]

Justin really inspired me to learn slide. Still suck, but its fun as hell.

[@bldallas]

The great part of making a slide guitar out of a square nosed spade is you can play three hours of killer bar room blues, at night, and hand cut the vertical edge around your front yard, the next morning.

[@johnb7889]

Or clobber some drunk guy over the head and not hurt it. 😵‍💫

[@stevenstabile4379]

Heard about Justin from his KZbin videos and I'm pissed that I never ran into him when I lived in Nashville!! He is one amazing guitar players I've ever heard! He deserves the recognition!!!

[@rigovalenz]

Man, I really digged this episode of Rig Rundown!!! great sounds and amazing pieces of gear!!! Justin is an amazing musician. Been following him since the shovelguitar act :) and never disapointed

[@googo151]

BEST SLIDE GUITAR PLAYER NORTH OF THE MISSISSIPPI. DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS, BUT SOUNDS COOL. JUSTIN'S THE BEST PERIOD!

[@andrewjakes5296]

Think you spelled ry cooder wrong.

[@ecgitar]

Very cool equipment and a great guitar player!

[@bldallas]

Holy cow, that’s cool! I’ve seen some amazing component guitars, but none of them had servos that allowed you to spin the pups while playing.

[@stevefearon9337]

Thanks Justin… up there in my favourite rig rundowns, your music and method have been a massive inspiration since you turned up in my feed many many moons ago🤝

[@scottallen9556]

Love this rundown. Makes me want to go around the world examining the best collections of gear and ideas from fantastic players like this. To bad PG or maybe even Netflix couldn’t fund a series like that. Thanks for this and all that you do Premier Guitar.

[@fabienbourdier9847]

one of the best rig rundown i watched, love this guy, his playing is amazing

[@tedfurlo2268]

God made this guy for good reason. He's here to score "The Second Coming".

[@bldallas]

Wow, I knew nothing about Justin, prior to this video, but what an amazing player and cool guy!!! When this finishes ip, I’m going to deep dive the Interweb to learn for of his background and hear more of his music.

[@allstopblue5717]

Excellent rundown, even got an elementary school ROYGBIV mention, lol. Hilarious

[@michaelcrosby4970]

You could have done another hour with him for my money...don't be afraid of a longer content option.

[@samosasosa6684]

Is that a radio amp??? Such a nice home studio!! Always liked the just Guitar music. Please just keep making the escape music. Been watching for years seems you keep getting better and better, which is what we all want to do. Just seems it comes naturally to you. But I know what time you must put into your music. Keep on doing what you do.

[@MITCHYMITCH555]

Loved the pickup selector guitar.. Question: Wouldn't changing the pickup from single to humbucker change the intonation due to changing magnetic field?

[@Zapnes]

The best Rig Rundown ever!!!!

[@bldallas]

Fantastic Run Down, maybe the best I’ve ever seen. Thanks.

[@paultaylor2968]

Love Justin.... That's up there with the best rig run downs. Thanks

[@DocHelliday]

Didn't realize he was so witty "If you ever need any guitar work done, just lemme know, you can have the same quality." 😀

[@dustinarnold79]

They definitely burnt down before they started, yea man cool ,that's great ,yea ,cool man

[@WillfulThinker]

The length of this rundown would have been a real drag with anyone else. But with Justin, it could have been 3 hours, and I'd have watched the whole thing.

[@Mauitaoist]

Justin is one of the my favorite players of my entire life. I listen to him all the time. This is one of the best rig rundowns ever seen

[@amberwoodstudio]

It doesn’t seem to matter what he’s playing it’s gonna sound great

[@desmo999]

Faaantastic!!! I am loving both because they are totally Gear crazy like me. Woooonderfull!!!

[@imannonymous7707]

Premiere guitar really does try to stay on top of these up comers . Well Justin is no new guy but just the same, this is cool....good work john

[@ryangunwitch-black]

I think he’s too good. It’s a conspiracy. Or reverse engineering of non human technology.

[@grahamkelly8299]

Cool guitar!! The guitar looks great anyway!! Nice wood, and design. Being able to change the pickups so fast is really cool to.

[@lkj0822g]

For those who say "Man, I'd love to sit down with Justin for an hour or so and talk guitars...", here you go.

[@soypablo64]

Great rundown between two great Nashville cats! Would love to see a Rig Rundown with Rich Gilbert someday -- he's in that neck of the woods too!

[@motokev2727]

Love rig rundown That shovel guitar, oh my....

[@sw35710]

The piece at 21:00, is that a part of Justin’s song? Or just him freestyling for a moment?

[@TommyRogersAlabama]

Hey John, when you gonna get yourself a shovel guitar?? I'd like to hear what you can do.

[@ipuya]

OMG I've been following Justin for a while and he's inspired me to learn slide. When i saw this video i clicked instantly!!!

[@greenmanalishi6963]

This guy is the real deal. Up there with Clapton. Green. Hendrix…

[@StevenParente]

Great show! Justin is one of my favorite guitarists.

[@Tonny_Trauma]

That 'mystery resonator' is outta this world nice!

[@popogejo7245]

Justin has been the # 1 sub on my YT since the first day I found him. What a master!!!

[@SandstormGT]

Best guitar player alive.

[@derekhand7904]

JJ could make a potato sound good, and I’m pretty shur he has

[@ipuya]

Please please let's have a part 2 🙏🙏

[@accidentals_hacks]

Or use a Variax guitar! Sounds pretty convincing to me.

[@williammichel5973]

That Gyrock guitar is sweet!!🤘

[@ipuya]

Please please let's have a part 2 🙏🙏

[@BlakeHouse-j3u]

The Mystery Resonator is probably a Chicago Regal from mid to late '30s . In those years , Regal was the prime contractor for building low to mid range Dobro Brand Dobros , using the hardware shipped from California. They also had rights to build certain numbers of instruments under the Regal brand , and private labels . The Dobro branded ones were made to exact spec for the Dobro line , but under the Regal brand they mixed and matched elements in non standard combinations. Sometimes. The tailpiece is the big tipoff . Dobro Branded alwas used a fan tailpiece , Regal Branded usually used a Trapeze. Also subtlies in the peghead slots .

[@BlakeHouse-j3u]

No truss rod . The necks on the lower end Dobros were extra chunky to be strong enough to interchangeably be played lap style in Dobro tuning . The mid range and up Dobros were offered Round or Square for same price . To simplify logistics, the lower end ones had chunky V , and shipped with a Nut Riser in place . It was up to the purchaser to use it , or remove it to play vertical.

[@TJRatfink]

great video. bad hair day, JB?

[@lesterbeekman4904]

One of or maybe the best blues guitarist

[@sigogglin]

This guy is awesome and he inspired me to make cigar box guitars.

[@terryeaster1]

That resonator has someone's soul trapped in it

[@aaronlarsen7447]

This is the best rig I've seen. Nice looking too

[@grampskraka6976]

What an amazing talent and seems like a really great person. Great video!

[@bikramkangabam4581]

Great love his skills

[@Zapnes]

So Great with all the tips and tricks too.

[@dwaynejessome1728]

two guys with two of the best right hands in the business!

[@burnedoutgolfer]

@8:42 Blues thats sad but makes You feel really good 😁 Another Epic Rig Rundown!

[@amjrpain919]

There's No-one else like J J...👁👁👍

[@johnlattimer350]

The mystery resonator pushes all the right buttons.;) Don't have a resonator yet. My collection has been expanding for a decade. A really good reso has been a must for a while. I've seen some that have been drowned in flood-water that have incredible tone! That kind of sound can't be replicated. It has to be earned. The Anniversary Tele leads me back to my go-to Strat. Leo got many things just right. I've had several Stratocasters through the years. My absolute fave was an '83 American Standard that was stolen.;( If you see one that's gun-metal blue, maple-necked and has Bugs Bunny leaning against the jack, Please let me know. I'm willing to pay ransom!;O The only electric I ever bought new was my 50'th HSS maple neck. The feel is as close as anything else I've played. The humbucker and coil-splitting gives it all the versatility I need. Doesn't hurt that it looks like Buddy Holly's!;D

[@fredvanderlinden8908]

This is the first 1h 20m you tube film I watched from beginning to the end. Super informative entertaining with focus on the instrument and not the brand. Most rig rundowns look like sponsored video's by Gibson. Fender Marshall,.... I thought you would play the Whiskey Barrel guitar by Big D too. Wild customs deserved a prominent place. Thx for sharing.

[@STRATMAN1969]

OHH MY GEAR this was so fickin AWESOME ! I remember when someone showed me the shovel stuff .I had no idea this guy was a dark horse gear god .He was playing a shovel for peat sake .I'm going down the yt rabbit hole tonight !This is the kind of content that could probably crash reverb's site cuz this guy is the new Rockefeller of G.A.S. My wish list from this rundown alone is enough to blow my budget for the rest of the year.

[@OscarGuitare]

The Jack Daniel's tele on the left is killer. This was the coolest rundown I've seen and I discovered an awesome guitar player in Justin Johnson.

[@j4ckw4ll]

Wow! Amazing playing Justin. As always. And shoutout to Mad Professor! One of the best pedal manufactors in the world. Torilla tavataan!!😆👍🧡

[@matthewridgeway9250]

Delivering puns in spades.

[@trent69marc]

my fav rig rundown episode! so interesting and so nice to watch!

[@premierguitar]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@trent69marc]

@@premierguitar oh yes i did man! didn´t knew about that danelectro back talk reverse pedal and now i want it!!! *smile

[@davemassie3726]

WOW WE! I an so DRUNK ON TONE right now! Damn John you hit this one out of the park! Your gonna have to go back and change your top 10 Rig Rundowns! Justin Johnson you have Delta Blue Blood running thru your veins! Badass Guitar Player! Thanks to both of you!

[@SixStringSlinger1]

Okay I got the rig rundown I wanted from Justin. Now I want a "turquoise/native jewelry collection" video because my guy has one of the best collections I've seen. I mean just look at the hunk of turquoise in that bolo tie!

[@edpetrikk2027]

I watched my first Justin video showing him play a cigar box guitar in a small park playing ..Rooster Blues …My oh my he has come a long way 👍👍

[@dananthony6258]

He is so authentic sounding. I never hear him trying to hard either. It’s the perfect balance of playing what needs to be played to tell a story. Music has gotten away from that story telling melodic soul.

[@rhllnm]

That standard slide ala Ariel Posen is pretty cool. Justin handles it well. Cool guy. Man of international guitar mystery!

[@thebluesdoc]

Man dei had Fun 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩

[@paulheartsongs]

You are two wonderful gentlemen sharing your depth of experience and love for this music. Thank you so much🇦🇺🦘❤

[@internalmethods]

This was a long time comin!!! Thanks for finally interviewing Justin🤘🏻🎸🎯❗️❗️❗️

[@teedub127]

Thanks for the interview with Justin, I've been a fan of his for years. When I got to the point that I couldn't physically play drums anymore I started playing guitar again and found a lot of inspiration from his style of playing.

[@GraphiteandCigars]

What a great rundown. Justin is just a normal dude with insane talent and full of passion. Such a gifted player. One of my favorite rundowns to date.

[@truckerkevthepaidtourist]

I'm surprised you didn't pull out any whiskey barrel guitars? Maybe they all got sold

[@kurtweiand7086]

This interview was sooo good. Justin is one in a million. He can play anything and make it sound good. Proof of tone being in the soul and hands!