Ever found yourself trying to replicate the versatile rock tone of John 5? That’s a dream many rock and metal-inspired guitarists share.
But what if some of that magic was right at your feet?
So, I stumbled across a super blurry photo in a Facebook group and took it upon myself to decode it. I was determined to figure out exactly what pedals were on the John 5 pedalboard during his recent tour.
The John 5 pedalboard isn’t a collection of fancy and boutique effects but a solid and reliable tone engine.
Interestingly, he’s running an awesome all-BOSS setup. This is more common than you might think in the professional guitar player world (we’ll talk more about this later).
And the most exciting thing of all? It’s super simple.
In this guide, we’ll explore each pedal on John 5’s pedalboard and discuss how you might incorporate these tools into your own setup.
Table of Contents
Photo of the John 5 Pedalboard
This blurry shot of John 5’s pedalboard popped up in a Facebook group recently. While it’s not the clearest image, it provided just enough detail to piece together what he’s using on tour.
Okay, now it’s time to break this pedalboard down.
Here’s the picture one more time, but this time with numbers by each pedal so you can use it to find the right section of this article.
From the blurry photo, the John 5 pedalboard contains these pedals:
- BOSS NS-2 Noise Suppressor
- BOSS SD-1 Super Overdrive (x2)
- BOSS DM-2W Delay
- BOSS CE-2W Chorus
- BOSS RV-6 Reverb
Visually, this appears to be the order of the pedals, but it’s possible that John 5 is using a different arrangement and has things wired in a more complex way that is not visible in the photo.
Noise Control and Dynamics
BOSS NS-2 Noise Suppressor
The BOSS NS-2 Noise Suppressor takes first place on the John 5 pedalboard, providing that all important noise reduction that’s crucial for high-gain music.
Given John’s technical playing style and his work with artists like Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson, and now Mötley Crüe, using a noise suppressor is pretty important for maintaining clarity.
Simply put, the NS-2 cuts any unwanted hum, buzz, and feedback while preserving the natural attack and decay of his guitar signal.
Gain Staging
Dual BOSS SD-1 Super Overdrives
A standout feature of the John 5 pedalboard is his use of two BOSS SD-1 Super Overdrives. This setup enables creative gain staging, pushing his guitar into high-gain territory when he needs it.
The SD-1 has been a workhorse in the guitar world since 1981. It’s known for its smooth, tube-like overdrive, and is particularly good at getting distortion with a tight low end and focused midrange.
I imagine John 5 uses his two SD-1s, setting one for lighter overdrive and stacking the second for solos or heavier riffs. This stacking technique creates a more complex and layered distortion than what could be achieved with just one pedal.
💡 Did you know Robert Smith from The Cure also runs two BOSS SD-1s? Check out the full Robert Smith pedalboard to see how he uses them.
Time-Based Effects
BOSS DM-2W Delay
The BOSS DM-2W Delay is the Waza Craft reissue of the legendary DM-2 analog delay pedal that was discontinued in 1984. This pedal will add depth and dimension to John 5’s playing.
What makes the DM-2W special is its all-analog circuitry with bucket brigade technology. It delivers warm, organic delay repeats that sound gorgeous in a mix.
The pedal offers two modes: Standard mode, which replicates the original DM-2’s sound with delay times from 20 to 300ms, and Custom mode, which provides a cleaner delay tone with extended delay times up to 800ms. Unfortunately, we’re not able to see which setting John 5 is using here.
BOSS CE-2W Chorus
Following the delay in John’s chain is the BOSS CE-2W Chorus, another Waza Craft pedal that pays homage to two classic BOSS chorus effects: the CE-2 and the CE-1.
The CE-2W offers three different sounds of classic BOSS pedals: the original CE-2 chorus, the CE-1 chorus, and the CE-1 vibrato [1]. This super versatile pedal enables John to dial in everything from subtle shimmer to much more dramatic, swirling modulation effects.
BOSS RV-6 Reverb
At the end of John 5’s pedalboard signal chain is the BOSS RV-6 Reverb. This reverb pedal offers eight different reverb types, from traditional room and hall sounds to more specialized effects like shimmer and dynamic reverb. Again, we sadly can’t see which settings John 5 is using here.
With the RV-6, John can create a sense of space and depth in his tone. This is particularly important for solo passages or when he’s the only guitar in the mix. The RV-6’s versatility means he can dial in anything from subtle ambiance for technical passages where clarity is important to washing his sound in lush reverberations for more atmospheric moments.
Why an All-BOSS Setup?
John 5’s choice of an all-BOSS pedalboard might seem surprising for a guitarist of his level, but it just demonstrates his practical approach to gear.
BOSS pedals are famous for their reliability, durability, and consistent performance. For a touring musician, these are critical factors.
On top of this, the simplicity of these pedals allows John to focus more on his playing and less on tweaking complex settings. Each pedal does one or two jobs exceptionally well, and the straightforward controls mean quick adjustments on the fly during performances.
This setup also reflects John 5’s tone philosophy: it’s not about having the most expensive or boutique equipment but rather about how you use what you have. His masterful technique and musical sensibility would shine through regardless of the gear he uses.
Applying John 5’s Approach to Your Rig
What can we learn from John 5’s pedalboard choices? There are several key insights that stand out here to me:
- Reliability matters: Choose pedals that won’t let you down in a live situation.
- Simplicity has value: Sometimes straightforward tools with fewer options allow for more focus on playing.
- Thoughtful gain staging: Consider how your drive pedals interact when stacked rather than just using a single high-gain option.
- Practical signal flow: Each pedal in John’s chain serves a specific purpose and is placed where it can function most effectively.
Even if you don’t play in John 5’s style, his systematic approach to building a pedalboard is worth copying for yourself.
I recommend you focus on using quality, tried-and-tested pedals that match your musical style rather than chasing new trends or collecting boutique pedals that might look great, but don’t add anything extra to your sound.
Feeling Inspired by the John 5 Pedalboard?
Taking a deep dive into the John 5’s pedalboard might leave you feeling inspired and perhaps surprised by its simplicity. His pedalboard is focused, practical, and designed for maximum reliability.
The beauty of John 5’s pedalboard, to me, is that it’s accessible. You don’t need rare or expensive boutique pedals to get his great tone.
Just thoughtfully chosen tools, used in the right way.
This all-BOSS board demonstrates (again) that commercial, widely available pedals can and will give you professional results.
The best pedalboard isn’t always the one with the most boutique or expensive pedals. It’s the one that reliably delivers the sounds you need while getting out of the way of your creativity.
