Long Distance: Paul Calls John Mayer | Season One | PRS Guitars
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- Опубліковано 16 гру 2020
- The penultimate Season One episode of Long Distance! When John Mayer got the nod to join Dead & Co. he called Paul to talk about designing him a guitar for his new role. Paul's first words to John were, "I've been looking for you," and from that moment on, Paul and John have developed a lasting bond. In this interview, John and Paul discuss instrument design, why John never wants to make a sunburst Silver Sky, and which of their guitar hero's rigs they wish they could play through. All that and more, in this episode of Long Distance by PRS Guitars.
To watch more episodes of Long Distance, Season One, check out our playlist:
• Long Distance: Paul Ca...
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Super Eagle II: www.prsguitars.com/electrics/...
J-MOD 100: www.prsguitars.com/amplifiers...
When John said « I love surf colors, sonic blue » I felt my credit card shaking.
Agreed. Already have a silver one but id trade it for a surf green one any day of the week
I have a lovely Sonic Blue Strat that’d look great alongside a tungsten Silver Sky
Oh no!! Surf colors!!! I knew they were eventually going to have maple so I waited. I’ll wait just a little longer for the surf colors. Haha.
And Paul looked down... Like he was writing down John's colour answers. Exciting!
those surf colors he named off were pretty similar to what the SE Silver Skys ended being..
The middle pickup is so magical!!! Like acoustic guitar!!
Do you play this guitar?
@@LAVAASIAPACIFIC lol that’s Tomo Fujita he taught John at Berkelee
Agreed and especially in your hands Tomo. Enjoying your incredible lessons at @GuitarWisdom. Learning from the person who instructed and influenced John Mayer is a rare privilege that I very much appreciate. Now if I could just get my strumming hand to move like yours does...
DiMarzio true velvet
Tomo sensei is the middle pick-up man
“The middle pickup sounds like nothing more than a guitar” such a great way of putting that
Wow!! That was highest quality of 1/2 hour! Thanks John & Paul... you guys are so awesome!! Make it better day!!
I love your videos Tomo, thank you so much for sharing your passion
@@MatraBatra So nice to hear that. Thank you!!
TOMO
Tomo you're the man
Perfect connections between a John and a Paul. BEAUTIFUL things happen!
It'll be a shame if we never get another Trio record. John is a gem.
Goodness, that and Continuum.... John on his Hendrix Monterey Pop and The Black One days.
John Mayer is not a myth. He’s just a dude who knows what he likes. That’s what I love about him!
He’s legit 💯 respect
And he likes weird haircuts! He certainly knows what he likes!
@@Mexxx65 that’s a weird haircut?
And he’s a damn good guitar player.
“Don’t say Strat...don’t say Strat”
5:54
@@georgedavidson2024 Paul was like " :))))))))) "
Internally: "D:"
@@Diax1324 lol I thought the same thing 😅
Funny but John hasnt been shy about saying it. He even said in his long Instagram live when the Silver Sky first came out that obviously its based on a strat and it should be played through fender amps.
@@kevinborchers3522 You can bet Paul wanted to fix that and have John playing through a PRS amp and cabinet.
“I’m not happy unless I’m sick to my stomach” Now that’s the good stuff....
John Mayer is totally that guy that you ask’ yes’ or ‘no’ and he gives you a ‘just a second’ look before giving you the in depth origins of where ‘yes’ and ‘no’ started from before finally circling back and answering ‘ maybe’. And I mean that in the best possible way! The guys a total trip!
I'm convinced John Mayer has genius level intellect, by seeing where his mind goes, how he can see the big picture of things and draw parallels from other worlds into the guitar world. Everything is connected in one way or another and John is able to see that and very clearly present it in context. Love that.
I called the Gilmour rig. John asked. I paused the video and said "Gilmour, Com Numb" and then PRS said it back to me. That was some magic right there.
I literally don't understand anything they said other than the word "guitar,' and I watched the entire thing. Really cool.
"most people think of midrange as HONNN and right midrange is AAAAAAAHHHH"
first time someone put in word exactly what i have in mind as my tone seeking goal
thank you Paul!!!
(I am a all pickup guy hehe)
johns hair is a work of art
Always has been
I was noticing that too! So luscious! From a dude who's losing hair at 40 ahaha
The man is talented
I have the same hair
@@MP-wb6gz do you have the talent tho?
I could listen to them talk all day
Paul giving the Sound dude clout is the ULTIMATE respect. I love a killer sound guy. Much respect.
Sound guy makes or breaks the gig.
They’re usually the person I introduce myself to during load in K
@@queenhenry3314 you couldn’t be more correct. I’ve met sound guys years ago that still remain friends today. Long after venues and promoters go away.
This is a great rule to live by Queen Henry. 🤘🏻
I am surprised about John’s admission that his voice, knowledge and skills are limited in a way to certain music. That’s humble. I also like that he wanted to push and step out of it. I liked him more in this conversation than in any other before.
Ikr. Man started starstruck, and is mellowing, growing old gracefully
He has said before, he's a guitar player who sings. He knows his voice is limited and he also has said he would never put something out that didn't sound genuine and he believed was truly him. He writes great songs.
@@ronaldmckee7542 for all the negative flack he's gotten in the past for being honest. He's still the baddest cat out and I love his music and his playing and his vocal stylings.
The middle pickup is Eric Clapton.
Yes it is! Especially on the signature Strats!
And George Harrison
And Jerry Garcia!
Right i say the same
But... Clapton used the neck and the middle. He used the in-between on the old 3-way strats. And the woman tone on a Les Paul is done on the neck with the tones at 1-2. Don't think he was really a middle pickup guy, technically! But you have inspired me to play my middle pickup though! Thanks!
Two men who are very successful and this video shows you why. Passion and commitment. Truly inspirational. Thank Paul and John.
Sounds like the Beatles.
I love Paul and John's working relationship and friendship. You can tell they both admire each other greatly and enjoy working with each other.
John hit on something SO important here. So many people on Instagram and UA-cam today are trying to copy his sound and technique down to a very literal level... I used to be this way a few years ago when I was obsessed with his music, but I eventually realized that I would never find "MY sound" or "MY identity" if I only tried to copy him. It's totally okay to draw inspiration from your heroes, borrow licks or ideas... BUT don't try to literally be them and mirror their style. I've noticed that there are far too many players now where I can close my eyes and listen to them and say, "yup that's 100% a Mayer thing." And I think some of these cats are trying to take that too far to where you scroll on insta and over half sound like a Mayer or SRV imitation. Really interesting that John said that. I think it's important to eventually strive to find your own sound. Great video Paul and crew! Hoping to be able to afford my own 594 very soon haha! Cheers!
100% this. The great thing about the industry as it sits now is...it's relatively easy to get someone else's tone, or at least a pretty damn solid approximation of it (gear-wise, anyway. Playing style is a whoooole other bag). Which just means it's SUPER easy to take that tone and put your own spin on it. Imitation is great fun but at the end of the day...if you're not at least trying to put your own spin on it, why bother? Nobody will ever play like John Mayer better than John Mayer does it, so stop trying to!
here's the thing, (and this is something John himself said), you develop an identity and a sound when you fail to copy who you're trying to sound like
I love John Mayer but I would never try to copy him. Why copy a second iteration when you could go back and copy from the original ? I feel a guitarist should always be grounded in BB King, Clapton, Hendrix, SRV, David Gilmour, and Mark Knopfler.
@@kinan2934 you are 100% right. John started out trying to play like SRV and look what happened
do you play jazz standards?
Thanks guys! Just one complaint: Why isn’t this longer? 😬
It took me about 50min to watch it probably because of my bad english or maybe the huge amount of knowledge needed more time of reflection. :Absolutely satisfied:
It's so fun to see John geeking out and talk about guitars. This would be so much fun in person. PRS let's get some guitar clinics like you do with Mark Holcomb!
Paul treats his people with dignity and respect, and they would walk through fire for him.
Would you want anyone else to make your guitars?
Matt Horan You mean someone who was so embarrassed that he charged Steve Vai for a guitar, but not about charging you?
@@guyincognito5706 I know what you're saying, but it's a business decision to give guitars to anyone with fame because they sell guitars when they're in their hands. I know it sucks because they can afford them and we... well some of us can and some of us can't . Right now I can't.
I've seen John Mayer twice - he is a killer player, as well as being a very authentic artist. Killer guitar player, great music. Thanks for posting this!
Authentic? LOL. I've heard all those licks before, many times. He's cute, though. The girls love him.
@@melvynobrien6193 I'm referring to his songs, not his guitar licks. I'm talking about how, as an artist, he does whatever he wants to.
@@melvynobrien6193 Anyone that turns their nose up to JM is also turning their nose up to the judgement of BB King, Clapton, and other GOATs. Hate all you want, it just shows your own inability to understand what makes the greats so great.
@@melvynobrien6193 Yes, John’s song writing and lyrics are extremely authentic. Nobody else writes like him. Just listen to that Room for Squares album. Brilliant. And in my opinion he is one of the best guitar players alive right now.
Thank you both!!! At 60, I bought a used guitar to endeavor on a bucket list item of learning to play. Banged on power chords in high school with my buds and love those memories. Finally I can afford whatever guitar I want and for the past 4 years, bought and tried almost everything under $6000. My least favorite? Fender Strat. Bought A Silver Sky about 6 months ago and found my holy grail. It is unreal how it makes me play and play and play. Just bought my second to keep in another room. Selling everything else.
I'm glad that this connection between Paul and John exists. It's heartwarming to watch, or even just being conscious of it's existence
I'm still thanking John and Paul for coming up with the Silver Sky which will one day find its way into my hands.
Great chat guys 👍🏻
Amen to that!
John is one of the most creative and intelligent people on the planet, certainly in the music world and the man is a gifted musician. His guitar playing is on another level that few reach. He is my favorite artist, songwriter, and guitar player at this point. He is right where he needs to be working with Paul to create things that are magical. This was a great discussion. Take John up on his offer and call him again and again and again.....
I couldn’t agree more.
Same thoughts here
John is my all time favorite artist, not just now, but he will be forever. There is something so authentic about him and his song writing. His lyrics just speak to me. That and he is one hell of a guitar player.
@@Nick-kb2jc I agree on all counts. His songs relate very well to his audience and are genuinely great. You want to listen to them over and over. On rainy Mondays going to work I put his music on and I instantly feel better. He is just a complete artist, no question. And the Silver Sky is one of the best guitars I have ever played. The model with the maple fretboard is just about perfect.
I don’t play guitar, but love all kinds of music. I found the site by falling down the proverbial rabbit hole. As soon as I heard Paul‘s voice I was transported back to my life in Maryland. Can’t deny your heritage, hun.
Another beautiful brilliant John Mayer interview. I could watch and listen to him interview forever. So much insight into this master, class and all. I love it. I love him
I have to say, I have huge respect for John and Paul, both, for that attitude of going further. Not just letting mediocre "be enough". That is the perspective of a true artist. I love hearing both of you talking and sharing. It's so refreshing to hear, in this world of disposable, throwaway culture.
Part of the magic of the SRV tone was in the processing done in the studio. I know the engineer (Richard Mullens) and he told me what he used. One of the fairly unknown pieces of studio gear was a UREI 535 graphic EQ set to completely flat. I believe it was loaded with TLO-74 op amps which had a certain vibe to them. I remember him telling me about that in the 80's when they were working on the record here in Austin. He said just running the signal through the units did 'something' to the tone that improved it. It believe they were using a Ramsa WR-8816 Mixing Console which had unique sounding Mic Pre's. Eric Johnson had a RAMSA console just to use the mic pres. Richard worked on Eric's records also... Food for thought.
Great info! Love it!
That's a cool story. Reminds me of Eric Johnson using an Echoplex with no tapes, because of the preamp sound it gets.
Whew, that's a lot of nerdisms right there :) I do think that the "Couldn't Stand the Weather" LP is one of the best sounding albums ever, though.
Food for thought indeed. Too many guitarists think their signal chain ends at the speaker cabinet. You get disabused of that notion pretty quickly once you start recording your own stuff.
We all were “looking for you Mayer” easily my favorite musician...Your Work is amazing, but... the Dead and Company live jams are something that I still listen to and play along with daily...🙏. ‘I get to fly in these air currents that were created “. Yeah he does...big time💥🔥
I love how much these two genuinely fan boy over each other and care about how the other person views them.
This needs to be a weekly thing
Damn, John is extremely articulate, talented, smart and handsome. Thanks for posting this.
2 awesome dudes! John's music is legendary! I love his love for the music! Paul is the guy that "fixed" the guitar, I bought a custom 24, and sold all my other guitars, could not play anything but the PRS LOL, I previously could not for the life of me see the attraction of a PRS guitar, THEN I played one! OH My! just recently added a Silver sky, Love it! To describe what a PRS is, when you play, the guitar becomes completely invisible, only the sound is there, you get to make what you hear in your mind, like a never ending stream, the sound just flows out of you into the air. Nothing is fighting you, no bad frets, not strange feelings, no sour pickups. In fact, Playing a PRS is like owning a fine crafted something you never knew you wanted. Thank you Paul for gifting me the excellence. Thank you John for the music and the Silver Sky. It is a "fixed" strat, also invisible, and when you land and walk away, you see this really cool instrument that you can't wait to launch again. Truly marvelous. I only wish I could have seen my face when the light came on! LOL
"I wanted the toaster to work...". Wow, that hurt. I wish every company would care about that too.
My morning toast felt this comment...
Props to both of you guys. These sessions are so awesome and really informative. I hope that they continue beyond the pandemic.
Mayer mentioned wanting to play SRV’s rig. I had some talented friends that made an indy record in the late 90’s and one of them worked for Soldano. Apparently Stevie had sent his Soldano amp in to get some kind of switch put on it right before he died and it just remained at their factory afterward. So my friends brought it into the studio and recorded their album with it 😳🤯
It is still one of my favorite albums, FWIW!
Love this content, it’s so cool to listen to these two who have such a sophisticated passion for each of their craft! I could listen for days
This is why I like Paul: he wanted to play the Comfortably Numb rig. Same here! That's one of the tones I will chase forever.
Excellent choice 😎
Love you, guys. So much joy to watch you!
Finally! We've all been waiting for this one! Thanks Paul!
Exrtemely inspirational! Thank you BOTH!
Clapton is one of the few guys I ever see on the middle pickup.
Just ordered the maple neck Silver Sky in moc sand and I’m so excited for it to come in!!
I only tried a PRS once. This makes me want to try one again. Paul Reed Smith started the company close to where I live. My friend Ronnie told me about the beginnings of PRS etc. Hearing John and Paul talk about these guitars is very inspiring.
Do yourself a favor and go play more PRS Guitars. I’ve been blessed to have owned many High End guitars throughout the years and PRS Guitars have always been my top choice. The quality and craftsmanship is legendary for a reason 🙂
Best PRS interview of the series! Really interesting conversation and questions. Excellent.
Love All John Mayer interviews!
I love these chats Paul and Company. John being an artist is one of the greatest collabs of all time.
Just wonderful. Just the inspiration I needed. Thanks, guys.
Omg John Mayer. What a throw back. Love you both. John wow! He’s so awesome, great interview ❤️
This was a better conversation than I was expecting. While I was expecting nothing but mutual admiration, and there was some of that, I got a lot of insight into the attitudes of both men about their craft and the relationship they have to it. Great stuff here. I think I'll watch it again.
That intro/outro lick is one of the tastiest things ever.... GREAT interview by the way!
The quality of this talk was astounding. How much Paul and John love music is so inspiring. Two master craftsmen talking passionately and insightfully bout their work. Beautiful.
All I can say is that; when you have an idea that you invest your life in it, will make you love your craft even more. I like strats, however I just can put my silver sky down. No matter how hard I try to put it down for my elite strat, I always end up with the silver sky. Thanks Paul for the opportunity to create a master piece with one of the greatest Guitarist in this generation. I am officially broke.
this interview is incredible...yet too could have been longer...
then again, greatness is always short...true that
Loved this interview!! I love playing my Special Semi Hollow Custom 22. My version of the Super Eagle!
Been waiting so long for this, amazing ,loved it.
John Mayer to Paul Reid Smith "plugging the nagging void of something not being right". Epic, sums up them both. This was a great discussion, thanks for sharing it.
Thank you both for the Silver Sky. Something very special!
Fascinating stuff, man you guys need to do this for everyone regularly.
This was great, one of my favorite interview type videos PRS has put out.
Finally! Been waiting for this and it didn’t disappoint. Thank you 🙏🏼
Now let's wait/ hope/pray for a Current Mood Holiday Extravaganza!! We miss you sooooo much, John!! 🌲🎅🥰🎵
We're glad you enjoyed it, John.
@@prsguitars I’m not John. I’m a fan account but, very grateful. Thanks. Sarah 🙂
Except it was too short! Their ramblings are like music to my ears- I could listen to that all day.
Paul droning "I'm gonna convert you" just cracked me up! I'd love to see what John could do with a Custom 24...
Best one of these yet ! Thanks guys .
Love my Silver Sky..... thanks to both of you for the obvious passion that went into its creation.....
Simply wonderful
John Mayer is a fantastic musician. Best live performance I've ever seen.
Love it! Tnx for sharing!
After seeing this video, I understand the Silver Sky guitar. Paul, thank you, for this series of videos on these musicians, that I admire and appreciate.
Paul, you have great taste - you answered the same way I did - when John asked the question, the IMMEDIATE answer in my head was - two rigs, Hendrix and Gilmour. My jaw dropped and I laughed out loud when you gave your answer. 🤘
Great, great conversation here. So many interesting ideas and nuances... Hope you guys do this again.
Cheers to you both and enjoy the holidays.
These two have different ideas that come together as they communicate. Wow, no wonder they have made a great songwriters guitar.
Go go. Love the insight. Thank you.
I could watch hours of this conversation. Thank you!!
That sure was a pleasure. Both guys obviously have a tremendous amount of respect for each other. As a Deadhead, I was a little leary about Mayer, but he won me over. Lockn 2018 with Branford was the perfect setting with an amazing performance.
Wow... what an interesting chat! Love the idea of perfection and the pursuit of excellence!
You boys did great! Honesty and integrity not only in voice, but in song!
Wish this was an hour longer. Lots of great Information. Some telling moments.
I can listen to this all day.
Two super special perfectionist, interesting guys, what an absolute pleasure to listen to. Thank you.
how great, both great people, passion, but informal and chilled, and super interesting, thank you!!
What a great video! Kept me company on my way to work. I knew a lot of us were going to walk away with a bunch of gems that would help our guitar playing and approach.
Thank you. Just. From my soul. Thank you.
What an interesting and insightful conversation with John and Paul😀😀 thank you.. and the middle pickup is my favorite as well…..
the thing is, John IS a better songwriter than guitar player. And he's a hell of a guitar player!
Without a doubt. I'm glad someone else can see that 😁
I got a lot of goosebumps watching this
Enjoyed the pickup discussion. Ya’ gotta remember that the Strat was designed before the tone stack. e.g. Strat into a Champ. So the pickup selector was the tone stack/eq of the day. Thanks so much for posting! Really enjoyed it.
That's a very good point
This was a great, nerdy and philosophical conversation, thank you!
My Lady made me aware recently that I am a huge Guitar Nerd..Of course NO Man wants to view themselves that way but after how much I loved listening to this I know now she is absolutely right!
Best 30 Minutes On UA-cam!
Thanks Paul!
27:33 I TOTALLY relate to John here! What a great conversation!
Great convo!! Great questions and answers!!
Always waiting on new John Mayer videos like something to live for
I really enjoyed the one on one session. Paul, continue making awesome guitars, and John, you keep on making awesome music.
Thanks for sharing this. Great conversation!
Two people who are not appreciated enough. One for his design and engineering genius and the other for his instrumental and songwriting genius.
This is what we’ve all been waiting for
so far most fun out of all the interviews on this channel