models, Rectifiers, Lone Stars and everything else, I have such a knowledge of these amps. But one that I gravitated towards specifically was the Mark IIC +. Although I love the Mark IV and the Mark V with the C + mode in there, |
open minded and talking to Jimi, Frank Arresti, and Sam over there. Having them make these things into a real musical instrument that other people can enjoy and that I’ m proud to have my name on. |
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the actual C + was one of those iconic amps | ||||
that they built in the 80’ s that grabbed a lot of people. It’ s on a ton of Dream Theater albums and my solo album as well. |
Whether it’ s the Ernie Ball Music Man guitars, the Boogie amp, the TC Dreamscape, the DiMarzio pickups, or the Dunlop picks and the |
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Wah, all of these pieces are in my gear arsenal. | ||||
[ CG ] The Dunlop guys were kind enough to donate some of your signature picks and a JP95 Wah as a giveaway for this issue. Have you always used a Jazz III style pick? |
Every single one of them complements the other and makes everything sound as great as it can be. There’ s not one thing that takes away from any other piece, sucks tone, or |
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anything like that. To me, that’ s so important. | ||||
The design, the ingenuity, the quality, the | ||||
craftsmanship, and the artistry are all things | ||||
that are a part of my mantra. The best thing is | ||||
when I talk to people who have this stuff and | ||||
are enjoying it. Experiencing the joy of playing a | ||||
guitar or amp with my name on it, and they tell | ||||
[ John ] I’ ve been using Jazz III picks since I can’ t even remember – I can’ t remember using anything else. It’ s so personal and it’ s such a huge part of a guitar player’ s arsenal. Picks can really make a difference in how you play and how you approach your technique, so the fact that we were able to refine something as |
me stories of what they recorded or how the pick helped their technique – that’ s incredible. I feel like all together we’ re contributing to the guitar community. It circles back around to that sharing, camaraderie, and willingness to be open and share your knowledge. That’ s what it’ s all about! |
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detailed as the bevel of the pick, the material, | ||||
the size and shape... it blows my mind. The great thing is that other players are able to benefit from that R & D.
The same with the JP95 Wah. I’ ve gotten more compliments and positive feedback about what a great piece of gear that is. How beautiful it looks, the quality, the weight, the guttural sound of it. And again, that’ s all from being
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[ CG ] Although your signature electrics feature built-in piezo pickups, you’ ve been playing Taylor acoustics for some time.
[ John ] I have been working with Taylor acoustic guitars for so long now, and they are a part of so many Dream Theater records – it’ s another relationship that I value so strongly. Again, I couldn’ t be more proud of being
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associated with all of these companies | ||||
and all the people there and who I | ||||
work with. They are real, genuine, nice, | ||||
family people who are dedicated to | ||||
making |
incredible |
instruments. |
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Whether it is Bob Taylor, Sterling Ball, | ||||
Jimi Dunlop, Randall Smith, or Larry | ||||
DiMarzio. These are the kings of the | ||||
guitar world and people who I respect | ||||
so much. I’ m just very, very grateful to | ||||
photo courtesy of Ernie Ball Music Man |
be in this position. |