The Search for the ERIC JOHNSON Tone is OVER

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Good buddy @JakeLoosemore just grabbed this Tube Driver...I had some folks ask if I'd try it into a cranked Marshall, this is about as close as I can get....

00:00 intro
00:58 the tones
2:37 the guitar
3:25 the Tube Driver
4:42 the Amp
6:20 underdriving the Amp?
9:16 do you keep going down the rabbit hole?
9:45 does this tone actually work for me?
12:05 Eric is using a Tone Master Pro for one song live?!
14:55 a bit more playing

only if you wanted, you could buy me a coffee!

only if you wanted, you could buy me a coffee!

[BeachJazzMusic]

The amazing thing about all your videos is that you sound like you even with the 'Eric Johnson' style cascading pentatonic licks. That's really the best thing. Nobody is going to be anybody else so be the best 'you' you can be.

[andrewsackett]

Beautiful job Nathan! As a long time Austinite I first saw ej in 1977. That’s not a typo. I’ve seen him over 50 times and am always blown away by his “tone”. I suppose I have an affinity to that sound as it truly moves me the most. It is indeed a serious rabbit hole to chase that; money, gear, time, signal chain, modeling….it just goes on and on. What did Chuck Berry do? Gibson ES-335 to the amp and nothing else. It is your playing that makes a huge impression, as you have demonstrated here with some great chops. I always admire your playing and phrasing. Excellent.

[glenmiller]

To my ear you totally nailed it, both in tone and playing.

[musicafteroldage]

Genuinely genuinely Genuinely one of the most beautiful tones you’ve showcased here. Btw, loved the PG Spark 2 vs Katana video.

[CallumBishopGuitar]

Having also experimented with the Tube Driver, I think it also has a lot to do with his touch and attack of the string. He seems to really pick lightly so the note doesn't ping in a bright way; it blooms.
As soon as you start to get aggressive with the guitar is stops sounding like Eric. It is really a lot about how you approach it! Great video!

[TheRodge]

The Manhattan-inspired improvisation was nice. Love that tune. Tone is EJ all the way.

[hamishmctiaigh]

Pretty dang spot on mate!!! Unbelievable...my biggest problem has always been his attack, quite soft, almost swelling out and you got it

[alberthilt]

Beautiful sound/tone... love the EJ sound, and you do it justice here.

[JC_Walker]

Exactly what I was waiting for man. Great video! Appreciate the content JC

[horsevinyl]

Yes, you go down the rabbit hole and try to emulate all of your heroes and finally you get it, sound wise and playing wise. I did it for decades and you always find out that it just don't exactly fits you. So is it worthless? No! You develop your ear, plus playing technique, pick out what suits you, and all melts into your style of playing and out comes your personal touch. It is an experience which can not be bought or easily achieved. I recommend it to any player, listen and learn. It takes a lifetime and it's worth it. And of course it is fun. Then comes the time, you let go and just play. I really like your channel John and its never the topic. I loooovvveee the way you play. You've already arrived. Cheers and many thanks.

[kleberkshima]

This is the best guitar tone of all your videos

[jamesgrobertson]

Yep, you’ve really nailed it, well done 👍

[stevecraig]

Wow that nice. I saw Eric twice last year. I close my eys and hear him.

[gdkopinionator]

There are really two separate matters with Eric Johnson, when it comes to tone. There is what he does, up to and including the amp, then there is how it is recorded (mic -> tape/daw -> mixdown/busses -> mastering). He is pretty open about his guitar gear/rig. That's the solid foundation of his sound(s), but what he does in post is very important to the tones we hear on the LP's. In his interview w/ Rick Beato, he talks a little bit about what he does to blackface Fenders in terms of eq in post, but doesn't go through his process in great detail. To my ear, he uses a bit of plate reverb in post, which mixed with his lead tone, creates this impression of beautiful singing sustain. Obviously, he does a lot more than that - but that's one aspect that I've heard through the years...

Great work JNC. You are rapidly becoming my favorite channel!

[tonystartup]

Pots were changed mainly cause the old ones were starting to fail. Bare knuckle only cause they do a 280kohm and i wanted values at the top end of what you could normally get with the standard tolerances on the normal 250k pots. The 500k prs volume pot was a bit of an experiment, but also i learned after that Eric used a 500k pot on Virginia to counter the slightly darker hs2 bridge pickup and i was basically doing the same thing to make sure the P90 i put in the bridge didn't get too dark. I like the taper on prs pots so that's why i picked it.
The stainless steel frets are mainly cause they were getting quite worn and i just wanted the replacements to stay the same as long as possible

[BobMaulucci]

I think the feel of EJ is the key more than anything. I saw him last week in Lewiston NY, and he was playing a very stripped down rig with his SG. Still sounded like him. He even plugged into an old Silvertone amp in case. Still sounded like EJ.

[CharlesStratton-oief]

Wow what a cool sound! so close to EJ! Beautiful!!!

[TimCz]

Have always loved EJ’s tone - sounds absolutely amazing here. Love it.

[williamcampbell]

The search is over turns out that Eric had his tone all along.l've got mine you got yours.And so on.As it should be.😊

[duaneegeberg]

ive owned a tube driver for multiple decades.. mine has tube bias knob on back..loving your interest in this piece of gear