1 Topic by GuitarSlingerofTruth (edited by GuitarSlingerofTruth 2010-11-22 01:56:01)

  • From: Asheville, North Carolina
  • Registered: 2009-02-24
  • Posts: 133

Topic: Eric Johnson tone

So I've been getting really geared up for the new EJ releases. The 84' Austin City Limits on Tuesday and the new studio album Up Close on Dec. 7th. However, I've been checking out some recent youtube videos, interviews, demos, etc. and it sounds to me like EJ's OCD may be getting the best of him as far as guitar tone goes. It's like he has tone pots that go to negative 11! I could kick a tree stump barefoot and it would have more treble than his current tone. Don't get me wrong I love the warm, woman, treble dump tone just as much as the next guy, but there's got to be a point were you realize you've gone too far. Of course I'm still gonna get the albums, but has anyone else had this revelation lately or is it just me?

Guitars: 1974 LP Custom, 2013 R8
Amps: '88 JCM 800 w/ TV cab, Tone King Falcon
Effects: Fulltone Clyde, Monsterpiece Stud, EP Booster, Strymon El Capistan
  • Registered: 2009-10-10
  • Posts: 438

Re: Eric Johnson tone

I can't bring myself to say anything negative about EJ.  He is one of the best, if not the best to ever strap on a guitar in my humble opinion.  But I will say, his guitar tone on his Total Electric Guitar video, Austin City Limits 88', and two studio albums in this era were some of the best guitar tones I have ever heard.  I saw him live in Lexington, KY in the mid 90's.  His roadie came out and sound checked his rig, and the place got funeral quiet.  It was mesmerizing.

  • From: over yonder....in PA
  • Registered: 2009-02-09
  • Posts: 240

Re: Eric Johnson tone

I agree with you. He's one of my favorite guitarists, but his tone as of late is really...non existant. It doesn't sound like the usual "picky" EJ. It sounds like he has everything turned to 0. -The total electric guitar video IS a brilliant tone.

"The way I like to look at it is....if that's the last time I ever got to play, I'd better give it everything I've got." -SRV

4 Reply by kevman13 (edited by kevman13 2010-11-23 14:29:27)

  • From: Burlington, Ont Canada
  • Registered: 2010-04-01
  • Posts: 365

Re: Eric Johnson tone

I just saw EJ at the Experience Hendrix show in Toronto a few weeks back. From what I could see he had 2 Marshall stacks and 2 Fender twins. His tone was epic. His playing humbling. I am still gassing for an EJ strat after that show - he played the red one with the neck binding. Maybe his studio tone is treble-dumped but his live tone was anything but!

Gits: '03 Gibson Historic R7 Goldtop, '06 Gibson R8 Plaintop, MIJ '62 RI Strat,  and others...
Amps: '99 Marshall 1987x Plexi RI, 1969 Fender Super Reverb

My band: www.meanbones.com
  • From: over yonder....in PA
  • Registered: 2009-02-09
  • Posts: 240

Re: Eric Johnson tone

My parents went to that show in Hershey, PA. I couldn't make it because of college, but my dad said it was spectacular (except for Vai). I'm really glad that EJ is one of the few guitarists that actually use their signature guitars.

kevman13 wrote:

I just saw EJ at the Experience Hendrix show in Toronto a few weeks back. From what I could see he had 2 Marshall stacks and 2 Fender twins. His tone was epic. His playing humbling. I am still gassing for an EJ strat after that show - he played the blue one with the neck binding. Maybe his studio tone is treble-dumped but his live tone was anything but!

"The way I like to look at it is....if that's the last time I ever got to play, I'd better give it everything I've got." -SRV
  • Registered: 2009-10-27
  • Posts: 250

Re: Eric Johnson tone

kevman13 wrote:

I just saw EJ at the Experience Hendrix show in Toronto a few weeks back. From what I could see he had 2 Marshall stacks and 2 Fender twins. His tone was epic. His playing humbling. I am still gassing for an EJ strat after that show - he played the blue one with the neck binding. Maybe his studio tone is treble-dumped but his live tone was anything but!

His Sig Stat's are the closest thing to CS quality - great guitars, I have two-tone sunburst with Maple neck- nice guitar.

  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: Eric Johnson tone

Here's my take on the EJ tone, which I've battled with myself for a while now.  My very first introduction to Eric Johnson was his '88 ACL performance which still stands as his greatest tone ever IMO.  Every track has incredible tone and also his playing was in tip top form in this era.  He sounded more ORIGINAL which is odd because most people evolve away from their influences as their career moves on.  Eric strives for more of that Cream Clapton and early Hendrix fuzzed out tone a lot these days as opposed to the incredible violin tone of the '80s.

I love his current tone just as much now, it's just different.  Less reverb, less echo, less volume....you know, the things people were asking of him for 20 years!  Now that he changed it everyone wants him to change back!  I've heard so many people hear his old stuff and automatically say, "man too much reverb and echo, but great player".  Now they say his current tone is "dull, flabby, and sterile compared to his old tone".  I think Eric should use the Lebron James technique of "What should I do?"  lol

The facts are Eric couldn't sound like he did back then even with the same gear.  He's changed dramatically in style and chops over the years.  He's mellowed some and takes less chances, also he's refined his technique to the point of perhaps extinguishing that fire he had early on.  He's not a lesser player by any stretch, he's still #1 in my book.  Best guitarist alive.  My last observational opinion about his tone is that his lead tone has gotten a little worse and his dirty rhythm/fuzz tone has gotten better.  This is all IMO of course, I suck majorly in playing and tone compared to him.

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.
  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: Eric Johnson tone

Check this out fellow EJ fans if you haven't already seen this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fdVwxOGAt0

While being round and really warm, I hear plenty of treble and nothing sounds too much like being on "0".  Especially his dirty rhythm and clean tones!

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.
  • From: Burlington, Ont Canada
  • Registered: 2010-04-01
  • Posts: 365

Re: Eric Johnson tone

Great vid Justin thanks for posting! You've gotta love EJ - look at his board all messy and long cables, etc... cool

My only complaint about the Hendrix tour was that EJ came on so early and the crowd was jacked but nothing like the response Vai got. KWS burned the place down that night - and I am NOT a big KWS fan (too much of an SRV clone to me - but I gotta hand it to him he absolutley blew the roof off.

I went on an EJ tone hunt myself but gave up early on. I start trying to play like him and it ruins me for a while - for some reason trying to cop Joe B licks or even just listening to him seems to help my playing while listening to too much EJ, while I DO love it, really messes me up. Too much Jeff Beck does the same.

His wah looks like an original - anybody know anything about it? His wah tone that night was mesmerizing.

Gits: '03 Gibson Historic R7 Goldtop, '06 Gibson R8 Plaintop, MIJ '62 RI Strat,  and others...
Amps: '99 Marshall 1987x Plexi RI, 1969 Fender Super Reverb

My band: www.meanbones.com
  • From: kentucky
  • Registered: 2008-03-06
  • Posts: 304

Re: Eric Johnson tone

while i prefer his tone from ACL days and his ah via musicom, venus isle and tones cd's I think that his tone today is still incredible.

nobody does what he does period....one of my all time biggest musical heroes and I am waiting patiently for these new releases.

masque's Website

  • From: The Netherlands
  • Registered: 2010-02-14
  • Posts: 318

Re: Eric Johnson tone

stratpaulguy86 wrote:

Check this out fellow EJ fans if you haven't already seen this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fdVwxOGAt0

While being round and really warm, I hear plenty of treble and nothing sounds too much like being on "0".  Especially his dirty rhythm and clean tones!


Thanks! Really helped!

I don't charge for mistakes. - Joe Bonamassa
  • Registered: 2007-11-04
  • Posts: 404

Re: Eric Johnson tone

I understand the ideas of going crazy over tone... I wonder how much guys like Clapton worried over tone. Or Hendrix, Page, Gilmore...   When I hear EJ's tone I think that sure he sounds fine but I wonder if he would be any less of a guitar player if he played thru a Orange amp or used a Carol Ann for cleans crunches and Leads. 

My only complaint with EJ is his clean tone, crunch tone, and Lead tone all sound so totally different it doesnt feel right to me.  When I listen to Joe his clean, crunch and lead all sound like the same guitar but with more gain or sustain as he chooses.

I really try to find 3-4 tones that sound like the same guitar but louder or with varying degrees of gain. I want to always sound like myself though.

Its tough, I am not saying EJ has bad tone or anything like that he is amazing.  Inspiring to say the least. I would prefer more consistancy between his three sounds.