[Summary] Nick Johnston's equipment [Amps, guitars, effects]

Born in Rockwood, Ontario, Canada, Nick Johnston was surrounded by music from an early age.

He first started playing guitar in his early teens. While his friends were listening to music, Nick became fascinated with blues and rock guitarists and began to teach himself how to play.

His influences include legendary guitarists such as Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jeff Beck, Eddie Van Halen, and Yngwie Malmsteen.

Their styles may appear different at first glance, but what they have in common is their individuality, their attention to tone, and their approach to playing as if they are telling a melody.
Nick unconsciously absorbed these experiences and developed a playing style that prioritized "technique for music's sake, rather than technique for technique's sake."

In 2011, Nick released the self-produced album Public Display of Infection.
This was the start of his professional career.

Although he was still working independently at the time, his songs already exuded his unique melody and beautiful structure.

In his subsequent albums, In a Locked Room on the Moon (2013) and Atomic Mind (2014), he distinguished himself with his technical yet emotional instrumental music.

From this time on, his music began to be recognized by a wide range of people, including not only guitar kids but also composition-oriented listeners and video music fans.

In 2016, he released his fourth album, Remarkably Human.
This work features world-class players such as Marco Minnemann (drums) and Brian Beller (bass), demonstrating that Nick's music has become a "global standard."

In 2019's Wide Eyes in the Dark, the band developed a more conceptual and lyrical worldview.
Although it is an instrumental piece, it creates an immersive feeling, as if you were following the story of a movie.

This work received high praise from both inside and outside the industry, with many people saying, "Is it possible to convey such a narrative quality through an instrumental piece?", and it was the work that solidified his reputation.

Beyond his solo work, Nick has performed and toured with some of the most important figures in contemporary progressive music, including Polyphia, Intervals, Periphery, Plini and David Maxim Micic.

His presence stands out among so-called "shred" and "Djent" guitarists.
This is because, rather than showing off his virtuoso technique, he focuses all his energy on "telling a story with his guitar."

"It's more important that it resonates than that it can be played."
He is a rare guitarist who can convey such a message through his music.

Since 2016, he has signed an endorsement contract with Schecter and developed his own signature model.

With two lines - the expensive USA Custom model and the more affordable Traditional Series - the company offers the "Nick Sound" to guitarists of all levels.

He is also involved with amplifier brands such as Mesa/Boogie, Friedman, and currently Orange Amps, and strives daily to create sound that does not impair the player's touch.

"My equipment is not just something that produces sound, but a tool to convey emotion."
This statement also gives a glimpse into his philosophy.

Additionally, Nick Johnston is known as a "storytelling guitarist."

He is a huge comic book fan and is an artist who creates a worldview through sound and vision, employing famous illustrators for his album art.

He has also been heavily influenced by Joe Satriani, and his playing embodies the idea that "even instrumental music can have a story to tell through its melody."

He is no longer just a technical guitarist, but a "storyteller of the modern guitar scene" who influences many people.

Nick's main guitar is his own signature model.Schecter Nick Johnston TraditionalSeries.

This model released by Schecter features a classic Stratocaster design, which is rare for the company, with a simple 22-fret Stratocaster shape and unique brass dot position marks.

The neck is made of wenge, which produces a hard, solid sound, and the fingerboard is made of smooth ebony.

The body is made of alder and features a vintage-style synchronized tremolo bridge.

The pickups were tuned for Nick.Schecter Diamond Nick Johnston Single CoilIt is equipped with three units that produce clear brightness and rich overtones when played clean, and thick, sticky lead tones when distorted.

Nick himself has said about his signature guitar, "The guitar I use is exactly the same as the one you can get at your local music store," and he actually uses not only expensive models made by the custom shop, but also mass-produced Traditionals series models for live performances and recordings.

In 2020, the pickup arrangement was expanded to include not only three single coils (SSS) but also a humbucker + two single coils (HSS) model, making the lineup more versatile in terms of sound.

However, he himself prefers the clear sound of single coils, and even during live performances he takes advantage of the delicate expressiveness that single coils offer.

Although his signature model comes with a tremolo bar for arming, Nick did not attach it.Press the bridge with your finger to create vibratoSometimes they display unique playing techniques.

This Schecter signature guitar, which has been optimized down to the last detail to suit Nick Johnston's playing style, can be said to be the foundation of his sound.

Before he had his signature model, Nick JohnstonFender StratocasterI used to love it.

Along with the Gibson Les Paul, the Stratocaster is synonymous with electric guitars, and it has the brilliant sound and versatility that is unique to single coils.

Nick has used the Stratocaster's wide range of clean tones and the delicate tone control he can get from manipulating the volume knob to add dynamics and expression to his own music.

His signature model is based on this Stratocaster.

"I wanted to maintain the qualities of a classic Strat while still achieving the playability and sound I wanted," he said.

So, for guitarists who want a guitar that combines traditional Fender tone with modern playability, Nick's model is perfect.

Nick Johnston is not only into electric guitars, he is also into acoustic guitars.

Above allMartin D-28is his signature acoustic guitar that he uses for recording and songwriting.

The Martin D-28 is a large-body acoustic instrument known as a dreadnought type, with a rich range from low to high notes and a brilliant tone.

Nick's songs feature beautiful clean arpeggios and delicate clean parts, and the D-28 delivers the ultimate sound in those situations.

For example, on the albums "Remarkably Human" and "Wide Eyes in the Dark," acoustic guitar tones are woven throughout the album, and its warm, expansive sound adds depth to the songs.

Although he mainly plays electric guitar on major stages, he often spends his time at home immersed in songwriting with his D-28.

Perhaps by playing without electronic distortion and with live sounds, he is finding new melodies and inspiration.

Friedman BE-100is a 100W vacuum tube guitar amp head that Nick is said to have often used early in his career.

The BE-100, affectionately known as the "Brown Eye," is a high-gain amp that offers a modern tune of the classic British Marshall amp tone and is loved by many professional guitarists.

Nick also took advantage of the rich, thick distortion sound that this amp produced, and used it to great effect on his lead playing during live performances.

It also has a clean channel and can be freely controlled from crunch to lead by adjusting the guitar volume, which was probably a perfect match for Nick, who is known for his expressive playing.

Nick Johnston is also known as a fan of Mesa/Boogie amplifiers.

Above allMesa Boogie Mark VThe is a three-channel flagship amp capable of creating a wide range of sounds, from punchy modern distortion to sparkling clean, and has made a major contribution to his sound-making.

The Mark V is equipped with a 5-band graphic EQ, allowing for a wide range of tone shaping options.

Nick used the Mark V's third channel to create long, drawn-out lead tones for solos, while the clean first channel provided a crystal clear tone for arpeggios and backing parts.

The Mark V has good sound separation even at high gain, allowing each note to be heard clearly even during complex arpeggios and fast playing, bringing out Nick's detailed phrasing.

Another Mesa/Boogie model that Nick particularly liked and used was theTriple Crown TC-50.

The TC-50 is a 34W output three-channel amplifier that uses EL50 tubes as its power tubes, and is a multi-functional model that can be freely switched from clean to heavy.

It also comes equipped with modern features such as three independent channels that can be switched to six modes, a bias switch for when replacing vacuum tubes, cabinet simulator output, and MIDI compatibility.

Nick loved the TC-50 and incorporated it into his live set.

The thick, modern distortion provided by the TC-50's lead channel really shines in the harder parts of his music.

On the other hand, the clean channel has been meticulously revoiced, so even parts that feature mostly clean tones sound beautiful.

In recent years, Nick Johnston's main amplifier has been the Rockerverb 100 MKIII head made by British amplifier manufacturer Orange Amplification.

The Rockerverb 100 MKIII is a two-channel model with 100W output, making it a powerful and versatile model that covers a wide range of sounds from clean to extremely distorted.

The sound is also full of that British tone that is instantly recognizable as Orange.

Since becoming an Orange ambassador in 2022, Nick has purchased the Rockerverb MKIII and praised it, saying, "When I play through this amp, my playing sounds more natural, organic, and more 'my own'."

Improvements have also been made to the clean channel, enhancing the beauty of clean crunch, while the drive channel can easily handle modern high gain.

"I'm really looking forward to seeing how my tone will evolve with this new amp," says Nick, so we can't wait to keep an eye on his future sound.

J. Rockett Archeris a boost/overdrive pedal that reproduces the circuit of the Klon Centaur, famous as a "legendary overdrive."

Nick Johnston loves using this pedal to give clean tones a little extra shine, or to push his amp for some smooth distortion during solos.

The Archer has incredible headroom, and with the gain knob set to zero it functions as a clean booster, but as you turn up the gain it provides a pleasant overdrive while still maintaining transparency.

That's why Nick uses it flexibly depending on the situation: lowering the gain in arpeggio-based parts and using it as a clean-leaning boost, and adding a moderate amount of gain in lead parts to give the sound thickness and sustain.

The Archer is one of Nick's favorites, as it provides "transparent distortion that doesn't lose the nuances of the player."

Seymour Duncan 805 Overdriveis a modern overdrive pedal based on the classic Tube Screamer pedal, but with a 3-band EQ.

It produces a classic dry drive sound, and the three-band EQ (Low/Mid/High) allows for a wide range of sound shaping, so Nick Johnston also uses this pedal to make fine adjustments to the tone to suit the acoustics of the amp or venue.

He made full use of the EQ function, lightly switching on the 805 for crunch rhythms to add crispness to the mid-range, and emphasizing the mids for leads to increase presence.

The 805 also features low-noise, smooth distortion and good grain even in fast passages, making it a perfect match for Nick's precise playing.

The 805 Overdrive combines the best of vintage and modern styles and is a reliable and versatile addition to Nick's pedal board.

Horizon Devices Precision Driveis an overdrive and boost pedal developed for modern metal/progressive guitarists.

It features a built-in noise gate that can eliminate unwanted noise while producing a sharp, edgy drive sound.

Although originally developed as a pedal for djent players, Nick Johnston also uses the Precision Drive to create tight rhythm guitar sounds.

For example, for fast 16th note riffs or staccato cuts, turn on Precision Drive to create distortion that tightens the low end and emphasizes the attack.

In addition, the noise gate function suppresses unwanted feedback even when the gain is turned up, which helps Nick's staging, where he can effortlessly control the dynamics of silence and roar.

For him, Precision Drive isThe secret weapon for modern high-gain tone makingYou can say.

Wampler Euphoriais a high-quality overdrive pedal that, as its name suggests, will give you a feeling of euphoria.

It has a detailed and elegant drive sound, and a depth and thickness that is as if you were pushing a tube amp, and Nick Johnston also uses this pedal to create tones in the clean to crunch range.

I particularly like placing the Euphoria in front of a clean amp and adding a little gain to get an amp-like crunch tone.

Euphoria is responsive and faithfully responds to the guitar's volume adjustments and picking strength, allowing it to match Nick's dynamically rich playing.

He uses Euphoria on a bluesy instrumental track, adding a soft compression and sheen to the sound, making it sing with a lot of emotion.

Like an amp directNatural-oriented overdriveFor Nick, the Wampler Euphoria is the perfect pedal.

Dunlop EP103 Echoplex Delayis a delay pedal that reproduces the sound of the legendary tape echo unit "Echoplex EP-3."

It produces the bright, clear, yet warm delay sound that is unique to tape echo, and Nick Johnston loves using it to add a subtle reverb behind clean tones.

For example, when playing clean arpeggios in a ballad-style song, turning on the EP103 and applying a slight delay gives the sound depth and resonance.

The delay sound is never too obtrusive, and creates a natural reverberation that makes it seem as if you are playing in a large space.

Additionally, a mild echo is added to the overdrive sound, giving the solo a sustained, more ethereal feel.

It can also reproduce the fluctuations and degradation of a tape echo, allowing Nick to bring out a vintage-like warmth from this little pedal.

Echoplex Delay EP103For Nick, it could be said to be the secret ingredient that makes the sound sing.

It features a delay sound that is clearer and has more high end than the standard model.

Nick Johnston finds it useful as a delay to use during fast phrases because it retains the warmth and thickness of an analog delay while still leaving the reverberation unobscured and clear.

For example, if you use Carbon Copy Bright on a technical solo part, you can add a short delay that doesn't interfere with the performance, but it won't blur the sound image, and you can add just the reverberation while maintaining a clear sound.

Nick takes advantage of this characteristic, skillfully weaving in delay to add thickness to the sound as the phrases pile up in the second half of the song.

In addition, the warm, repetitive analog sound that is unique to Carbon Copy Bright can add a nostalgic flavor to his melodic playing.

While finely adjusting the balance between the original sound and the effect sound,Achieve maximum effect with minimum reverberation--Nick uses this pedal in just the way that connoisseurs would use it.

Way Huge Echo Pussis an echo pedal made using analog methods, and its warm sound is close to that of a full-fledged tape echo.

Nick Johnston sometimes uses the Echo Puss in conjunction with the aforementioned Echoplex Delay and Carbon Copy Bright.

Echo Puss is characterized by the thick, mellow repeat sound that is unique to analog delays, and Nick sometimes chooses it as the main spatial effect in songs that predominantly feature clean tones.

For example, if you want to add thickness to the clean backing of a slow number, you can use Echo Puss to apply a deep delay, creating an ambient space that envelops the entire song.

The repeated sound fades away softly, leaving only a pleasant reverberation without interfering with the performance.

Nick once commented, "When I step on the Echo Puss, it instantly adds depth and mood to the song."Creating sound that paints a sceneIt seems to be very useful.

MXR Smart Gateis a noise gate pedal that automatically cuts out unnecessary noise that occurs when using high gain sounds.

In Nick Johnston's rig, the Smart Gate is used especially in the sections that require a lot of high-gain distortion.

Using the Smart Gate, you can effectively suppress amplifier hiss noise when sounds are sustained, as well as feedback noise that occurs the moment you stop playing.

Nick uses a Smart Gate in combination with a high gain pedal such as Precision Drive, so that it stops noise exactly in the quiet parts even during distorted sounds.

This creates a striking contrast with the clean parts, allowing him to seamlessly express stillness and movement even in his music, which has high dynamics.

In guitar instrumentals, the space between notes is also part of the expression, and thanks to the Smart Gate, Nick can create that space with confidence.

Although it is not flashy,The unsung heroIt is an important pedal that supports Nick's sound behind the scenes.

Jim Dunlop Cry Babyis the well-known classic wah pedal, and Nick Johnston also chooses this classic model when using a wah.

The Cry Baby is loved by guitarists around the world, from classic rock to modern music, and creates a unique "wah-wah" filter effect depending on how hard you press it.

Nick sometimes uses the Cry Baby pedal during the climax of a solo to add a human-voice-like expression to the tone.

It can be used in a variety of ways, such as adding fine wah to fast phrases to create rhythmic nuances, or using a slow wah on a long-sustained sound to add an undulating feel to the sound.

What's particularly noteworthy is that he takes care to ensure that the nuances of his picking are not buried, even when he uses the wah.

The Cry Baby is easy to use because of its "very basic sound," and Nick trusts the pedal to allow him to control the subtle nuances with his footwork.

ExactlyA wah pedal with all the necessary and beautiful featuresIt is integrated into his expressive tools.