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Eric Johnson - Manhattan - First A Section - Guitar Lesson

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Eric Johnson - Manhattan - First A Section - Guitar Lesson

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Eric Johnson - Manhattan - First A Section guitar lesson video
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Classic Rock

Gain6
Bass6
Mid7
Treble6
Presence5
Master7
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Roll back the gain slightly and pick near the neck for a warmer, more open crunch.
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Eric Johnson Jazz

Manhattan - First A Section

"Manhattan - First A Section" is a piece by American guitarist Eric Johnson, known for his meticulous technique and blend of rock, blues, and jazz influences. The title suggests a structured, section-based composition typical of Johnson's melodic and harmonically rich style. Learning this piece offers electric guitarists an opportunity to explore clean tone phrasing, precise articulation, and the kind of musical sophistication that defines Johnson's playing.

  • Eric Johnson is celebrated for his exceptionally clean picking technique and highly refined electric guitar tone.
  • The 'First A Section' label suggests the piece follows a formal compositional structure, common in jazz-influenced guitar writing.
  • Johnson blends rock, blues, and jazz vocabulary, making his compositions rewarding studies for technically focused electric guitarists.
Fender Stratocaster
Guitar

Fender Stratocaster

Eric Johnson's primary instrument, with vintage single-coils and a rolled-back tone knob that deliver warm, articulate lead tones and dynamic range. His signature model features a 1-meg volume pot preserving high-end clarity, essential for his layered clean and overdriven tones.

Gibson Les Paul Standard
Guitar

Gibson Les Paul Standard

Johnson uses original PAF humbuckers on his 1958/1959 model for heavier, mid-rich lead work, providing thicker sustain and compression on songs like 'Cliffs of Dover' when pushed through his Marshall head.

Gibson Les Paul Custom
Guitar

Gibson Les Paul Custom

While not explicitly mentioned in Johnson's primary setup, this model shares PAF humbucker characteristics that would deliver similar thick, creamy lead tones and compressed sustain for heavier passages.

Gibson ES-335
Guitar

Gibson ES-335

Johnson switches to this semi-hollow body for jazzier passages mid-song, its balanced tone bridging his bright Strat clarity and Les Paul warmth for sophisticated, articulate lead work.

Fender Twin Reverb
Amp

Fender Twin Reverb

Johnson's core clean and light-crunch amp, run at volumes 5-6 for shimmering clarity and natural reverb that blends with his Marshall's grit to create his signature layered tone.

Ibanez Tube Screamer TS9
Pedal

Ibanez Tube Screamer TS9

Set with low gain and high level as a clean boost, Johnson's TS9 pushes his amps into natural breakup while preserving the dynamic articulation crucial to his playing style.

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