Equipment use documented
Fender Stratocaster · 1954 / Thinline
Original knob values: unknown. Numerical suggestions await further version and control references for this item.
Check the era, documented model and limits
ARTIST / 14SOLO ARTIST — INSTRUMENTAL ROCK
Eric Johnson
A smooth, violin-like attack and rich mids that connect fast phrases without a sharp edge.
RECREATION STUDY
Cliffs of Dover
Starting from the 2018 lead rig
Suggested pickupBridge single-coil
TuningE A D G B E
Suggested values are starting points for recreation.
MATCH THE HARDWARE FIRST
Start with the instrument’s own controls
The 2018 lead reference includes Tube Driver, Echoplex and a 1969 50-watt Plexi; the 100-watt amp is a backup. Keep this separate from the Tube Screamer / Two-Rock rhythm path. Do not infer a complete order beyond the account.
Equipment basis and value provenance are separate. Suggested values for matching hardware are still not verified artist settings.
2018 Ah Via Musicom tour · Nashville rig rundown
Equipment use documented
Marshall Plexi · 1969, 50W
Original knob values: unknown. Numerical suggestions await further version and control references for this item.
Check the era, documented model and limitsEquipment use documented
B.K. Butler Tube Driver
Original knob values: unknown. Numerical suggestions await further version and control references for this item.
Check the era, documented model and limitsConnections and branches in the sources
Lead / rhythm paths
Lead uses Echoplex, Tube Driver and Marshall; rhythm includes TS808 and Two-Rock.
This identifies separate paths, not every connection or effect order.
Routing evidence ↗Using different equipment?
The substitute path provides a full simplified chain and suggested values for alternative gear.
DOCUMENTED USE
What does the evidence establish?
2018 Ah Via Musicom tour · Nashville rig rundown
Confirmation applies only to the stated era and claim. It does not validate a complete recording rig or our modeler presets.
Confirmed in sourceEQUIPMENT
Fender Stratocaster · 1954 / Thinline
The rundown identifies a 1954 Strat and signature Thinline guitars.
Premier Guitar — Eric Johnson Rig Rundown [2018]Evidence location: The first two guitar descriptions
Confirmed in sourceEQUIPMENT
Marshall Plexi · 1969, 50W
A 1969 50-watt Plexi supplies lead tones; the 100-watt head is a backup at this show.
Premier Guitar — Eric Johnson Rig Rundown [2018]Evidence location: Paragraph beginning Johnson’s primary lead tone…
Confirmed in sourceEQUIPMENT
B.K. Butler Tube Driver
The Tube Driver belongs to the Marshall lead path.
Premier Guitar — Eric Johnson Rig Rundown [2018]Evidence location: Paragraph beginning Johnson’s second board…
Confirmed in sourceROUTING
Lead / rhythm paths
Lead uses Echoplex, Tube Driver and Marshall; rhythm includes TS808 and Two-Rock.
This identifies separate paths, not every connection or effect order.
Premier Guitar — Eric Johnson Rig Rundown [2018]Evidence location: Second pedalboard and amplifier descriptions
Not establishedSETTING
Tube Driver · knob values
No direct evidence is registered for the numerical settings in our recreation guide.
Suggested values are not artist settings.
Sources and review record
How we review evidence ↗Premier Guitar — Eric Johnson Rig Rundown [2018]
Artist interviewAccount / record by: Eric Johnson
Published: 2018-04-04 · Source reviewed: 2026-09-13
Reference photos are separate from evidence of actual use. See photo credits for the original images and reuse terms.
Start with the connections. Guitar → modeler INPUT → headphones or FRFR. Use both amp and cabinet simulation. For a physical guitar speaker, disable cabinet simulation and adjust the output mode.
The proposal fits within HX Stomp’s eight-block count. Actual DSP use still needs testing; omit optional modulation if necessary.
- 01 OVERDRIVETube Drive
- 02 AMPBrit Plexi Brt
- 03 CAB4x12 Greenback 25
- 04 DELAYTransistor Tape
- 05 REVERBRoom
Tone and gain values are normalized 0–10 starting points. If the device uses a different range, begin at a similar proportion; this is not an acoustic equivalence. Time, frequency and mix retain their shown units. Leave unlisted parameters at defaults.
01
OVERDRIVE
Tube Drive
- Drive
- 5
- Bass
- 4
- Treble
- 3.5
- Level
- 6
Helix Legacy Tube Drive is Chandler-based. QC and BOSS use Tube Screamer alternatives with a different circuit; lower tone and match output first.
02
AMP
Brit Plexi Brt
- Drive / Gain
- 5.5
- Bass
- 3.5
- Mid
- 6.5
- Treble
- 4
- Presence
- 4
The Marshall lead path is simplified to one amp; this does not duplicate the original Echoplex preamp and all signal branches.
03
CAB
4x12 Greenback 25
- Low Cut
- 80 Hz
- High Cut
- 6.5 kHz
For headphones / FRFR. Cabinet choices are tonal alternatives, not necessarily the original touring speakers. If QC lacks the cut filters here, use a separate Low-High Cut block.
04
DELAY
Transistor Tape
- Time
- 360 ms
- Feedback
- 24 %
- Mix
- 19 %
This placement does not copy the original Echoplex / Tube Driver order. Delay follows the amp here for a simple chain with clear repeats.
05
REVERB
Room
- Decay / Time
- 1.5 s
- Mix
- 12 %
An editorial ambience suggestion, not evidence of use on a recording or tour.
Model names based on Helix 3.80
Official model / parameter documentation
Make the final adjustments by ear
- Start at a low output level and check for input clipping.
- Bypass pedals and establish the amp’s basic tone.
- Match engaged and bypassed volume as you enable effects.
- Adjust bass for loose lows and treble or high cut for sharp highs.