Johnny A.

"Just finished putting my 'lil rig together. Two 20 watt Marshall Amplification 2061Xs with custom 2x10 Swanson cabs loaded with Celestion Speakers Alnico Golds. Killer sounding set-up for small stages."

In a photo shared on Johnny A.'s official Facebook page, the artist is seen with the Marshall Handwired 1958X combo guitar amplifier, highlighting its role in his gear collection.

In a photo on his official Facebook page, Johnny A. is seen with a Klon Centaur Overdrive, highlighting his use of this iconic pedal.

Among Johnny’s many other notable Gibsons are a 1936 L-00 (a Christmas present from his wife and daughter), a 1966 EB-0 bass, a custom Johnny A. Montana Advanced Jumbo with breathtaking woodwork, and a pink-and-white 1960 Skylark lap steel.

"Here's the final 'Yardboard' layout for the upcoming The Yardbirds tour starting on Oct 30th…"

"Here's the final 'Yardboard' layout for the upcoming The Yardbirds tour starting on Oct 30th…"

Who better to talk about a signature guitar than the artist himself! Johnny A, guitar-instrumentalist extraordinaire, stops by the Wildwood studio to talk about his signature Johnny A Custom Shop Gibson Guitar!

Johnny also has a thing for Hofner basses—not just the classic 500/1 violin-style bass that will forever be associated with Paul McCartney but also the company’s chunkier Club model. “I got them to make me a Club Bass just like the Sixties ones, but without the neck binding,” he says. “I love it.”

Johnny also has a thing for Hofner basses—not just the classic 500/1 violin-style bass that will forever be associated with Paul McCartney but also the company’s chunkier Club model. “I got them to make me a Club Bass just like the Sixties ones, but without the neck binding,” he says. “I love it.”

According to the Marshall's website, Johnny A. uses the Marshall JTM-1C amplifier.

In this Instagram photo posted by Johnny A., we can see three EVentide H9 harmonizers in his pedalboard.

I was using the two-channel TC Electronic Ditto X4 looper, and for some reason it just came together. After all that struggling, it just worked. I started to look for other songs that use a similar format.

For processing, the [Fractal Audio] Axe-Fx III works best for this situation. I use three parallel amp paths: one guitar amp with a typical signal chain; a bass amp path with an octave-divider effect, its own amp/cab and compressor, and no guitar effects; and the third path with sounds similar to string effects. Also, the Axe-Fx III has an effects loop, where I have an SSL XLogic G Series bus compressor on the main outputs. The three signal paths combine and go into the looper pre-compressor, and then into the PA.

"Here's the final 'Yardboard' layout for the upcoming The Yardbirds tour starting on Oct 30th…"

In a Facebook post, Johnny A. shared the final layout of his pedalboard for The Yardbirds tour, which includes the Jetter Gear Johnny A Overdrive Pedal.

"Here's the final 'Yardboard' layout for the upcoming The Yardbirds tour starting on Oct 30th…"

"Here's the final 'Yardboard' layout for the upcoming The Yardbirds tour starting on Oct 30th…"

"Here's the final 'Yardboard' layout for the upcoming The Yardbirds tour starting on Oct 30th…"

"Couldn't be happier with my new PolyTuner. Works GREAT."

Johnny A. is shown using the TC Electronic G-System in a photo shared on his official Facebook page.

"Have you seen these little guys from Jim Dunlop Guitar Products yet? BIG problem solver!"

In a Facebook post, Johnny A. humorously mentions his current gear setup, which includes the TC Electronic NDR-1 Nova Drive overdrive pedal.

Johnny A. shared a photo on Facebook showcasing his use of the Xotic Effects EP Booster pedal, expressing his ongoing progress in his musical endeavors.

On Radial's website, Johnny A was mentioned as user of Radial JD6.

For me, the key to a great pedal is its ability to be transparent when not engaged. The 'Switchbone' gives my rig plenty of options when called upon, but also stays out of the way when not! The Switchbone is Amazing!

Johnny A about Radial Switchbone.

According to DigiTech's website, Johnny A. uses DigiTech JamMan Solo Looper pedal.

According to DigiTech's website, Johnny A. uses DigiTech JamMan delay pedal.

According to DigiTech's website, Johnny A. uses DigiTech JamMan Stereo Phrase Sampler and Looper pedal.

Sitting in a hardshell case nearby is a sunburst Gretsch Viking, purchased new in 1967. “I was an impatient teenager when I bought that guitar,” A. says. “What I really wanted was a White Falcon, but they told me it was going to be a 13-month wait.

Elsewhere in the studio space are a recent-vintage Rickenbacker 360-12, a Jersey Girl electric with distinctive maple control knobs, a purple sparkle–finish Washburn acoustic/electric allegedly built for Prince to use on the 1984 Purple Rain tour, a 1993 Martin D-28 (“That guitar’s a cannon”), a rare three-pickup Silvertone from the Sixties, and a 1984 Bond Electraglide.