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Eric Johnson - Cliffs of Dover - Guitar Tab

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Eric Johnson - Cliffs of Dover - Guitar Tab

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Eric Johnson - Cliffs of Dover guitar tab video
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Ah Via Musicom album cover
Ah Via Musicom
1990 4:10
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Eric Johnson Instrumental Rock 1990 G major
Capo Advisor 0 G major · Original key

Cliffs of Dover

"Cliffs of Dover" is an instrumental rock composition by Eric Johnson, released on his 1990 studio album Ah Via Musicom. A showcase of Johnson's fluid technique, it blends clean-tone melody with dynamic, layered phrasing. For electric guitarists, it is a demanding and rewarding study in tone control, pentatonic vocabulary, and the kind of expressive, notes-that-breathe playing that defines Johnson's signature style.

  • Eric Johnson first performed 'Cliffs of Dover' live as early as 1984, six years before its official studio release.
  • The track runs just over four minutes and contains no vocals, every musical idea is expressed purely through guitar.
  • Johnson is known for his meticulous attention to tone; his pick attack and amp settings are central to replicating this song's sound.
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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