Journey’s Neal Schon may be best known for timeless classics such as Don’t Stop Believin’, Stone in Love, and Still They Ride.

However, the genre-hopping guitarist cut his teeth playing the blues, trading licks with Carlos Santana in Santana’s classic lineup, and becoming a keen student of B.B. King, Muddy Waters, and Michael Bloomfield.

“My roots were R&B and blues, and it’s so crazy that I’ve never been in a band that did that!” Schon says in a recent interview with Rick Beato.

“I played with B.B. quite a lot,” Schon reveals. “I played with Albert even more so. He was a funny human being. Had his little wine bottle at the back of the amp.

“I played with him so many times. [One time] we were downtown in San Rafael, close to where I live in Marin County, and he was in town. He was playing Uncle Charlie’s – a cool little blues club – and so I went down to see him for the soundcheck and said, ‘Hey, man, I would love to come by and jam tonight.’

“He said, ‘Sure, man. Bring your guitar and I’ll bring you up in the second set.’” However, the jam didn’t quite go as planned…

Journey’s Neal Schon on the Legendary Moment He Tried Albert King’s Mythical Gibson flying V

“He screams across from the bar, ‘what you doing, boy! Put that guitar down. Nobody knows my tuning!'”

Few stories in rock lore capture the mystique of legendary gear and unique musician interactions quite like the time Neal Schon, the iconic guitarist of Journey, found himself holding Albert king’s mythical Gibson Flying V. Known for his virtuosic playing style and adventurous musical explorations, Neal Schon’s encounter with this rare instrument offers a glimpse into the secret world of blues tunings and guitar lore.

The Gibson Flying V: A Guitar Legend

The Gibson Flying V is one of the most visually striking guitars ever produced,with its futuristic “V” shape and association with hard rock and blues giants alike. Albert King, one of the greatest electric blues guitarists, famously played a left-handed Gibson Flying V strung for right-handed playing-a highly unconventional setup that added to the pureness and uniqueness of his sound.

• Albert King’s Flying V was reportedly tuned to a unique, non-standard tuning reputed only known to him.
• This mythical guitar became a symbol of blues innovation and a coveted piece among collectors and players.
• Its combination of playability and tonal uniqueness made it a holy grail guitar for many.

Neal Schon’s first-Hand Experience with Albert King’s Flying V

“He screams across from the bar, ‘What you doing, boy! Put that guitar down. Nobody knows my tuning!'” – Neal Schon recounting his encounter

neal Schon has shared this moment as a vivid memory from his early days in the music scene, highlighting the reverence and mystique surrounding Albert King and his instruments. The story takes place in a casual setting where Neal had the chance to pick up Albert King’s infamous Gibson Flying V. However, as Schon recalls, trying to play it wasn’t just about technique-it was about navigating an unknown tuning.

The anecdote is not just humorous but also underlines the exclusivity of Albert king’s playing style and tuning methods. This rare tuning was a guarded secret, known only to King himself, wich rendered it unfeasible for outsiders to replicate or get pleasant with quickly.

Why Albert King’s Tuning Was a Mystery

Albert King’s tuning contributed significantly to his signature sound, influencing blues guitarists for decades. This tuning was:

• Non-standard and customized, tailored to King’s unique phrasing and finger style
• Adopted on a left-handed Flying V restrung for right-handed players, adding complexity
• A personal guardrail that limited others from easily adopting King’s tonal style

Technical Challenges of Playing Albert King’s Flying V

When Neal Schon tried the guitar, the challenges he faced were multifaceted:

• Unique Tuning Setup: The strings were configured unusually, meaning intuitive chord shapes and scales didn’t apply
• Physical Guitar Setup: The Flying V’s offset design and setup for a lefty complex playability for right-handed players
• Emotional Pressure: The story’s tension is heightened by the immediate reaction from Albert King, guarding his iconic instrument’s sanctity

Guitarists Who Encounter Albert King’s gear Often Face a tough Learning Curve

Insights on Neal Schon’s Guitar Beliefs and Adaptability

Despite the initial confusion, Neal Schon’s story with Albert King’s guitar illustrates his adaptable and experimental nature.Schon has always been a guitarist passionate about embracing different sounds, styles, and instruments-a reason he gelled so well with journey’s blend of rock, blues, and progressive elements.

His willingness to pick up a challenging,almost sacred guitar reflects a core ethos shared by guitarists worldwide: the pursuit of musical authenticity,no matter how intimidating the instrument or musician’s legacy.

Lessons and Tips for Guitarists from Neal schon’s Experience

• Respect the History: Legendary guitars frequently enough come with unique setups-respect those traditions before changing things.
• Be Open to Experimentation: Trying unfamiliar tunings expands your musical boundaries.
• Learn to Adapt: Switching between standard and non-standard tunings can unlock new sounds and phrasing.
• Practice Patience: mastering a legendary guitar’s quirks takes time, so be patient and persistent.

Case Study: Albert King’s Influence on Modern Guitarists

Albert King’s techniques and gear, notably his Gibson Flying V, have inspired countless players including:

• B.B. King (not using Flying Vs but influenced by Albert’s phrasing)
• Stevie ray Vaughan
• Gary Clark Jr.
• Neal schon (Journey)

These artists have credited Albert’s tonal innovations and string bending styles as pivotal in crafting modern blues and rock guitar sounds.

summary of Albert King’s Guitar Traits and Legacy

Neal Schon and the Everlasting Impact of Iconic Guitars

Though Neal Schon was told off humorously to “put the guitar down,” his experience with Albert King’s Gibson Flying V stands as a testament to the reverence great musicians have for each other’s tools. It’s a story that transcends gear, highlighting the culture, approach, and deep emotional connection between artist and instrument.

This tale continues to inspire guitarists to respect legendary gear, explore out-of-the-box tunings, and chase their own sounds, holding on to the lessons learned from the icons who shaped modern music.

Schon continues, “So I go up, and I’m talking to him, and he goes off to the bar to get a drink, and I pick up his V. And he screams across from the bar, ‘What you doing, boy!’ I jump out of my shoes. He goes, ‘Put that guitar down. Nobody knows my tuning!’”

As for what he noticed about King’s guitar from that very fleeting encounter, Schon remembers, “[His strings] were light but tuned [way] down, and in a weird tuning.”

It was clearly a careful setup that lent itself well to the bluesman’s penchant for dramatic bends.

Earlier this year, the Journey guitar hero took his jaw-dropping, 9-string Ibanez Custom Shop model out for a spin across a series of Instagram videos.

Janelle is a staff writer at GuitarWorld.com. After a long stint in classical music, Janelle discovered the joys of playing guitar in dingy venues at the age of 13 and has never looked back. Janelle has written extensively about the intersection of music and technology, and how this is shaping the future of the music industry. She also had the pleasure of interviewing Dream Wife, K.Flay, Yīn Yīn, and Black Honey, among others. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her creating layers of delicious audio lasagna with her art-rock/psych-punk band ĠENN.