FenderвЂ™s Carlos Lopez, the master builder behind the вЂњVirginiaвЂќ model, has publicly stated that when he first took on the project he was a little intimidated, which, given JohnsonвЂ™s legendary history of gear neuroticism, makes complete sense.Дecades ago, when guitarists read that Johnson could hear microscopic differences in the batteries used in his pedals, a kind of urban myth was born. вЂњThat was my favorite guitar I ever owned, so with this one being so close, it really fulfills everything I need,вЂќ he says. II was recorded, so the model doesnвЂ™t appear on the album, but Johnson is extremely pleased with the instrument, so you can expect to hear it on future recordings. The instrument is based on his favorite 1954 Strat that was used on iconic albums like Tones and Ah Via Musicom, but had, sadly, been sold years back. II.ДЇor this tour, Johnson brought out his new signature вЂњVirginiaвЂќ guitar, from the Fender Stories Collection. Of course, Johnson is aware that many in the audience were there for the shred, and though he opened the second set with an acoustic in hand, he started right off the bat with the jaw-dropping вЂњLake Travis,вЂќ a burning instrumental highlight of EJ Vol. While Johnson burned through many of the electric selections with his trademark lightning-speed pentatonic sequences, he also captivated the audience equally with his sensitive vocals and jazzy piano playing on вЂњOver the Moon,вЂќ which also featured rhythm guitarist Dave Scher lightly hybrid-picking volume-swelled, chordal fragments. (ItвЂ™s the sequel to the 2016 all-acoustic EJ, and adds in electric elements.) The audience at the Boulton Center consisted of a diverse array of folks-hipsters, young kids, rich lawyer types, and musicians who resembled electronics guru Larry Hartke-who, over the course of a three-hour show (with only a very brief intermission), enjoyed hearing Johnson singing and playing electric guitar, acoustic guitar, and piano on everything from classics like вЂњZapвЂќ and вЂњCliffs of DoverвЂќ to vocal-driven songs from his latest release EJ Vol. Over the decades, JohnsonвЂ™s music has broadened in scope considerably and now has a much wider appeal. ThatвЂ™s the sort of hardcore dedication you see from Phishheads, but might not expect for Johnson, whose fan base was, for a long time, strictly tone-obsessed guitar geeks enamored by JohnsonвЂ™s virtuosity. They took a grueling 16-hour flight from Tahiti solely to see Johnson (they even had front row seats!)-and rented a car to get around to four of JohnsonвЂ™s Northeast shows from places as far flung as Fairfield, Connecticut, and Albany, New York. I soon found out that the brother and sister I had just met endured even more torturous travelling conditions than traversing the LIE at any hour of the day. There were no signs of life other than the flurry of notes from Johnson doing a soundcheck, and a pair of siblings waiting by the box office. But the first area appearance of Eric JohnsonвЂ™s Classics: Present and Past Tour at the YMCA Boulton Center for the Performing Arts in Bay Shore was compelling enough for me to make the painful trek.Дetermined to avoid traffic, I got a head start and ended up arriving at the venue hours early, when it was eerily empty. Anyone who lives in the New York metro area knows that driving across the Long Island Expressway is a punishment reserved for only the most extreme masochists.

Cliffs of dover guitar eric johnson