John Popper's Rig - Complete Rundown

Chan posted this on Facebook Live.  Here is a summary of his complete rig.  Finally!

Pics from a gig I went to last spring...

Pretty much the standard rig nowadays.  Most the pedals in the rack, I think, just split signals.  The blues if a Fulltone Drive, though.

John Popper's New Mic

WOW!  Here is a sweet shot of JP's mic.  It looks like a new enclosure for the midi effects.  There is also the Blues Traveler cat logo on it.  Looks amazing for what it is!  I also believe he is playing a Special 20 in these pics, and not the signature harp.

Finally Released - John Popper Fender Harmoncia

John Popper Fender Harmonica

I am kinda bummed that they're $99.99 a piece.  The set of 7 with tweed case runs $699.  Ugh.  They look fantastic, but it is a Session Steel which usually runs $60 a piece.

More Details Regarding the Fender John Popper Signature Harmonica

I was able to contact multiple people involved in the development of this harmonica and can fully confirm the following:

The harp is a Seydel Session Steel - and Seydel makes awesome harmonicas!  It is the exact same reed plates as what you can get from Seydel currently.  The comb is the black Session comb, and the covers are the same antique covers you can also order through Seydel, however, the Popper Signature harmonica does have a lacquer baked on the cover plates to make them glossy.  It also eliminates any taste from the antiqued plates and cuts down on friction.  Finally, the JP harp is slated to come in 7 keys, whereas the Session Steel is available in 18 keys (John uses 14 keys and Fender is making him the additional keys....but honestly you can part the same thing out through Seydel anyways)!

You can buy, structurally, the exact same harp through Seydel with the stock Session Steel for about $60, whereas the Popper Signature will run $99 MSRP.  The Fender John Popper Signature Harmonica will be available sometime around May.  The Session Steel is available now!

While I can't, for some reason, get the vid to post to the blog, search, "

BLUES TRAVELER FULL HD LIVE FROM THE PURINA PET PARADE SOULARD MARDI GRAS 2015", on YouTube.  You can clearly see that as of this show, John is still playing Special 20's.

John Popper Signature Harmonica by Fender

This was just released at NAMM. It is a repackaged Session Steel, and looks great!

I will of course get one, but I doubt it will dethrone by current harps.

Zoom MS 100bt

Before we go any further, this pedal is only great if you own an iOS device to update effects through a Mac, iPad, or iPhone!!!

You should own this pedal.  If you don't, you should buy it right now.  Here is the link to read up on the pedal and its amazingness....http://www.zoom.co.jp/products/ms-100bt

After reading up on it, buy it here...http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MS100BT?adpos=1o1&creative=55282474801&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=CO_j6J7lo8MCFQwEaQodtUAAkQ

You're welcome.

Why do I love this pedal so much???  Well, let's say not for the amp sims, which I don't dig.  I love it for everything else.  The Bass Booster works great for a clean to dirty amp tone with a dynamic mic like a SM57 or 58.  The RC Booster works just like a LoneWolf HarpBreak if you take time to dial it in - plus it has a slew of amazing sounding effects!!!!!

Staples of my rig include many of the delays and reverbs.  If you use effects at all, you'll be familiar with most of the effects, but my favorite are Shimmer, Ice, Space, and Bass Octave.  Running with the John Popper theme, you can nail or get ridiculously close to all of his time based and pitch based effects.

If you don't care at all about amp sims, the Zoom CDR70 is a great alternative if you are just after the delays and reverbs.  It does not have amp sims, distortion pedals, or other effects like auto-wah.  If you are just after time based effects, it is cheaper and maybe easier to use.

John Popper-like Rig on the "Cheap"

I'd love an Axe FX.  That being said, it is way more than I need.  New, the Axe FX and midi controller like John Popper would run $3,000 new and still require some sort of amp or speaker to run it.  I already own a QSC K10, which would work great, but we're still talking $3,000 and the time it would take to program at home, tweak live, and adjust as needed.  I am not a full time player.  In fact, I am not even gigging right now.  While there are MANY terrific gear options around, I'd like to share what I am using, including pros and cons, and how close it gets to a Poppler-like rig.

I am still messing with the order of pedals, but above is the following:

Lone Wolf HarpBreak

Zoom MS 100bt

Saturn Works Looper

Xotic EP Booster

Strymon Lex Rotary Pedal

Pedaltrain Nano

Visual Sound 1spot Power Supply with daisy chain

New, this rig would run 1/3 of the cost of the Axe, if not even less.  That is still pushing $1,000, though.  While there are cheaper options, this rig works great.  The HarpBreak works like a dirty amp.  The Zoom is used with the looper to create an effects loop I can turn off and on so I can cycle through MANY effects including just about anything JP has ever used.  The EP acts like a clean amp if set up as such, and the Lex is a FANTASTIC rotary pedal.

This rig is a compromise of size and function without sacrificing tone!  It really works well for anything I ever play, and I think it is very easy to tweak.

If you had two Zoom pedals (or a Zoom 70cdr), you could do without the HarpBreak or EP Booster, which would save you close to $200 (I have also used that comb with the 100bt set to go between an EP Booster model and a RC Booster which sounds damn near identical to the HarpBreak).  That is only four pedals and also saves space.

My board didn't cost me $1,000.  I bough everything other than the 1spot and looper used (I got the 100bt new, but on sale).  Here is a breakdown of my costs:

Lone Wolf HarpBreak ($100)

Zoom MS 100bt ($100)

Saturn Works Looper ($25)

Xotic EP Booster ($95)

Strymon Lex Rotary Pedal ($200)

Pedaltrain Nano ($35)

Visual Sound 1spot Power Supply with daisy chain ($40)

While there are many other pedal options, especially in the world of multifx, this rig gives me a level of tone and flexibility the other pedals don't.  For one, I can run my clean, dirty, and rotary on the fly without any planning.  I can also easily tweak them in real time.  Other gear, like the Zoom G3 and Digitech RP360 are harder to adjust in real time and they also require you to cycle through presets or carefully coordinate scenes.  Their rotary tones also really really suck compared to the Lex.  

The Zoom MS 100bt doesn't require an effects loop, but it would have to always be on, which is frustrating when you want to use an effect on a whim.  The loop lets me turn take the 100bt out of the signal path while I cycle presets.  While not as convenient as a full pedal board, it is functional and I don't feel I am giving much up.  The only con is trying to move from one effect to another without audibly cycling.  

I use this setup for everything - acoustic, country, blues, and rock....no issues or complaints from anyone.  I should not that it also easily covers the JP tones with Brother's Keeper.  In addition, you'll note that even when using the 100bt for "amp" tones, I do NOT use the amp models.  I much prefer the Bass Booster and RC Booster, which are models of the Xotic EP Booster (with much more gain and eq options) and RC Booster/BB Preamp.  

While I currently have the EP and HB on my board, it sounds just as good using the Zoom 70CDR for all my effects and the Zoom 100bt in place of the EP and HB.  It is scary how much the 100bt can sound like the EP and HarpBreak.  While this saves space and offers even MORE eq options, I find that I like the ability to place the EP and HB in different parts of the chain than having them in the same position.

For example, I have since switched the EP Booster until the very end of the chain so I have a volume control that won't push any other pedals into clipping.

Depending on YOUR needs, other units and arrangements could work way better.  I really like the tone and cost of the other Zoom pedals and anything Digitech has done with the RP series (and iStomp).  I also love the Tech 21 Sans amps.  There are endless ways to go about a pedalboard - and not really right or wrong ways!

Pictures of John Popper's Axe FX Rig

I noted that John Popper switched to an Axe FX rig some time ago, but here are actual pictures...

Here is the backline from the first show with the Axe.  My understanding is he was running the Axe in the FX loop of the Bogner.  The Orange was for feedback, and the Mesa was for guitar.  His rotary amp is also somewhere. At recent shows (2014), it looks like he has ditched the Mesa.

 Here is the Axe rig and the midi board he controls it with.

 Here is an after and before shot, lol.  Below is the midi pedal he uses to control his whole rig - amps and effects.

 Here is what it replaced.  He is running a MUCH cleaner rig now!  Keep in mind he also has a bunch of rack effects not pictures controlled by the midi controller.  I contacted Fractal Audio, the makers of the Axe FX, about the effects and routing of John Popper's rig.  I did get a response, albeit, not super detailed...

FX were very basic stuff... (coming from a guy who programs rigs for Fractal Artists, I guess that isn't saying much ;-)

Pitch Shift
Drive Pedal
Rotary Speaker
etc.

Here is a fun concert with the Axe FX (allegedly).  The backline appears to be a Mesa Boogie again.  The amp on top is something else too, but just used for feedback.  The Axe has replaced the rotary amp and all other floor effects

Popper's Rig with Brother's Keeper

Brother's Keeper has a GREAT album that has recently come out featuring John Popper and Jono  Manson. If you are a fan of well written rock and Americana, it is quite the treat!

Live it looks like Mr. Popper is using a Princeton Reverb. His board has an Xotic BB Preamp with a Neo Ventilator and Ibanez AD99 analog delay. You can also see a passive DI and a volume control in the pics. 

There are plenty of vids of the group on YouTube. You can hear and see him bounce between clean, dirty, and rotary tones. 

Here is a vid with the Vent and the clean tones of the Princeton Reverb during the solo.  The vid has a lot of the room's natural reverb, which is not a pedal-based effect.

This vid is a great example of the rotary sounds of the Vent and the distortion of the BB Preamp:

Axe FX Takes on Harmonica: John Popper's New Rig

Check it out!

The peeps from Fractal met up with BT this past October and tried to recreate Popper's rig with the rack mounted Axe FX:

http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-discussion/76616-axe-fx-takes-harmonica-john-poppers-new-rig.html

Unfortunately, that show is not currently on archive.org.  I can't find an audio source from that show where he used the FX.  He may have used the rig at other shows, but I have no idea at this point.  If I find out anything, I'll post it!

Various Sound Clips and Demos from Last Year

Here are a few clips and vids from 2013 experimenting with different gear:

I tried a Zoom G5 and sorta regret not keeping it.  This is a great clean tone with a pitch delay/reverb that was truly a keeper.

https://soundcloud.com/mike-fugazzi/attempt-at-eventide-crystals

Random noodling with two different mics.  All I did was change mics.  The amp/delay/reverb settings stayed the exact same.  Mic too had less output so I bumped it up so it was similar in volume.

http://mikefugazzi.com/files/Sans_Amp_Mic_Test.mp3

Here is an Audix Fireball with the Para DI. For this, I just twisted the Blend and Drive knobs around. The treble was higher than the clip in the OP. I also had a bit more bass. The mid control was set at noon. I did not adjust eq settings between riffs.

The first passage is totally clean - the Sans amp is off. It is probably my favorite because it is so dynamic. As soon as I play with Blend, it starts compressing and you loose the big bass and clear highs. The Drive adds some bite and grit, but it comes in the form of mids that aren't very pleasing to my ear.

Around :30s is a solid combination of Blend and Drive so the sound is more "amped" than acoustic. The last one is a good modern rock tone. I had a lot more flexibility in sound than with the bullet. The D5 is a lot like the Fireball.

http://mikefugazzi.com/files/Fireball_Demo_Para_DI.mp3

Musician's Friend Ad with Myself and Mr. Popper

This is from last winter.  Hohner has since changed the Marine Band packaging to include a picture of Little Walter in lieu of your's truly.  While John is a huge influence of mine and I obviously created the site, this is really my excuse to learn more about using different effects with harmonica in different genres of music.  Thanks for the inspiration, John!

So, I sat in with Blues Traveler this past summer...

While it was truly amazing, I didn't get any good peeks at his gear, lol!

Popper-Like Rigs on a Budget

If you priced out John Popper's rig from circa 2002, you're looking at well over $10,000 in gear.  Chances are, most players wanting to get similar sounds have nowhere near the budget for it!

John's rig has undergone changes over the years, most noticeably in the amp department.  From various sources, the core of the amped sounds have come from essentially a four amp set-up.  This includes an amp for clean and distorted tones, one for effects, one for feedback, and one that functions as a Leslie (I believe this is the first I've mentioned him using a Motion Sound amp for his Leslie tones).

Nowadays, there is a lone combo amp on stage and a second feedback amp.  I have not clue if he is using four amps still, but that might not be important.

If you look at his basic needs, he needs a clean sound, dirty sound, something that works with effects, and something to give the Leslie sounds.  With current technology, you can easily replicate this four amp set-up any number of ways.  I will suggest the use of a clean bass/keyboard/powered speaker paired with a multi-fx unit.

Units like the Line 6 POD HD500 and Digitech RP1000 let you set up separate amp "patches" and tones to work with.  You can then hit a foot switch to bounce from tone to tone.  Using a SM58 like John, for example, and an impedence transformer, you can plug right into the digital modelling unit and take an output to your sound source.


These units also come with great effects.  In fact, either unit covers all the pedals listed as part of John's rig circa 2002.  On these units, you can assign different effects to each patch, etc, and use footswitches to control them.

John's preamp rack effects aren't really needed for this rig.  The Harmonizers and Quadraverb are multi-fx units to begin with, so again, the HD500 or RP1000 have you covered, even for Leslie tones.

Assuming you look for good deals, you can have a similar rig to JP for under $1,000.  If you want to spend a little more, you can add the use of some other effects pedals like the Eventide stompboxes, a higher quality Leslie, and even a harmonica specific overdrive pedal from someone like the Lone Wolf Blues Company. 

There are cons to this approach.  Not all the multi-fx units do exactly the same effects in exactly the same way.  For example, dialing in JP's synth sounds is tricky.  I also haven't nailed his pitch shifted delays. 

Harmonica Lessons with John Popper

What Key of Harp Do I Use? from BluesTraveler.net

What Key Of Harp Do I Use?

This page was originally written by Blues Traveler fan and harmonica player Zack Scott. At the same time, fellow fan and harp player Rob Lowe was maintaining his own list of corrections and updates to Zack's list. Zack maintained the page on his site for years, but upon the closing of his site, we borrowed his information, combined it with Rob's, and made it available here. Many thanks to Zack and Rob for their hard work! Thanks also to Dean Heuke for getting the keys for North Hollywood Shootout from John via Twitter. All keys given are for playing in second position.

Official Releases

Blues Traveler

• But Anyway: E
• Gina: F>D>F
• Mulling It Over: E
• 100 Years: C
• Dropping Some NYC: G
• Crystal Flame: E>A>E
• Slow Change: E (studio)/D (live)
• Warmer Days: A
• Gotta Get Mean: A
• Alone: D
• Sweet Talking Hippie: D

Travelers & Thieves

• The Tiding: A
• Onslaught: A>D>A>D>A>D
• Ivory Tusk: G>D>G>D>A>G>D>G>A>G
• What's For Breakfast: G>D>G>D>A
• I Have My Moments: G
• Optimistic Thought: D>E
• The Best Part: F
• All In The Groove: Eb
• Support Your Local Emperor: F>A>F
• Bagheera: F
• Mountain Cry: F

Save His Soul

• Trina Magna: Eb>Ab>Eb>Ab>Eb>Ab>B>F#
• Love & Greed: B
• Letter From A Friend: C
• Believe Me: G
• Go Outside & Drive: C
• Defense & Desire: G
• Whoops: D
• Manhattan Bridge: C
• Love Of My Life: G
• NY Prophesie: C
• Save His Soul: D
• Bullshitter's Lament: D
• Conquer Me: D>A>D
• Fledgling: F>Eb

four

• Run-Around: C
• Stand: D>Ab>D>Ab>D>Ab>D
• Look Around: F (no harp part)
• Fallible: B
• The Mountains Win Again: C>D>C
• Freedom: G
• Crash Burn: D
• Price To Pay: A
• Hook: D
• The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly: A>D>A>D>A (can also use E)
• Just Wait: D (no harp part, can also use 3rd position on a G)
• Brother John: A>C>A>C>A

Run-Around CD-5 (only lists songs not on other albums)

• Trust In Trust: D
• Regarding Steven: Eb
• Escaping: E
• The Poignant & Epic Saga Of Featherhead And Lucky Lack: D

Live From The Fall (only lists songs not on other albums)

• Closing Down The Park: E
• Imagine: F>C>F

Straight On Till Morning

• Carolina Blues: A
• Felicia: D
• Justify The Thrill: D>G>D
• Canadian Rose: E
• Business As Usual: A
• Yours: C
• Psycho Joe: F
• Great Big World: C
• Battle Of Someone: F
• Most Precarious: A
• The Gunfighter: C
• Last Night I Dreamed: D
• Make My Way: Bb

Canadian Rose CD-5 (only lists songs not on other albums)

• Diner: E>A>E>D>A>E

Bridge

• Just For Me: Db
• Back In The Day: D
• You Reach me: G>E
• All Hands: C
• The Way: C
• Sadly A Fiction: A
• You Lost Me There: F
• Girl Inside My Head: E (?)

Truth Be Told

• Unable To Get Free: D
• Eventually: A
• Sweet & Broken: Bb
• My Blessed Pain: E
• Let Her & Let Go: A
• Thinnest Of Air: Ab
• Can't See Why: Low E(?)>E
• Stumble & Fall: C
• This Ache: A
• Mt. Normal: C
• The One: D
• Partner In Crime: A>D>A

North Hollywood Shootout

• Forever Owed: Bb
• You, Me & Everything: G
• Love Does: F
• Borrowed Time: E
• The Beacons: G
• Orange In The Sun: G#
• What Remains: F
• How You Remember It: D
• The Queen Of Sarajevo: A
• Free Willis: E / G

Zygote

• Miserable Bastard: Eb
• Growing In Dirt: D
• Tip The Domino: Eb
• Love For Free: C
• Evil In My Chair: B
• Lunatic: E
• Open Letter: Ab

Other

• I Wanna Take You Higher: D
• Pattern: A
• The Path: F

Unreleased

Originals

• And So It Goes: D
• Circle: D
• Jabberwock: A
• Maybe I'm Wrong: C
• Mother Funker: G
• Chan's Groove: G

Covers

• Come Together: G
• Five To One: D
• Gloria: A
• Johnny B. Goode: E>F>F#
• Miss You: D
• Rock Me Baby: E
• Should I Stay Or Should I Go: C
• The Star-Spangled Banner: varies
• The Devil Went Down To Georgia: C>D>C
• No Woman, No Cry: F

Popper's Blues Traveler Rig for 2012 Straight from JP

Popper's Mesa Boogie Lonestar Settings from Rob Lowe (2011)

Popper's Duskray Troubadour Rig Shot from Do512.com (2011)

John used a Mesa Boogie Lonestar while playing with his band, Duskray Troubadours.  The small Guyatone amp is still used for feedback.