“It’s an ocean—just relax and take guitar one step at a time”
In this interview with blues guitar supremo JD Simo and Gibson Gear Guide host Dinesh Lekhraj, JD Simo shows us how to unlock a variety of sounds from a Gibson ES-335™ and talks about how he helped to teach actor Jeremy Allen White (The Bear) guitar ahead of the Bruce Springsteen biopic, Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere.
Watch as JD demonstrates that there is no limit to the tones you can achieve from an ES-335 using just your hands and the volume and tone pots. JD gives us a masterclass on tone-shaping, explaining how players like Scotty Moore, Catfish Collins, Grant Green, Reggie Young, B.B. King, and John Lee Hooker each carved out their signature sounds—and how you can too.
JD also teaches a simple, easy-to-follow slide guitar lesson, breaking down muting techniques, pickup choices, and how tiny changes in tone and volume can transform your sound. He even shares how he ended up on the set of the new Bruce Springsteen biopic, where he was asked to teach Jeremy Allen White (The Bear) guitar. His advice to the actor? The same as he gives to every beginner: slow down, build hand strength, master the fundamentals, and play along with records you love. As JD puts it, “It’s an ocean—relax, and take it one step at a time.”
Beyond tone tips, JD explains his minimalist approach to gear which might surprise some of you out there (including his beaten-up vintage guitars), his time playing with Chris Isaak, and why the most expressive players often play fewer notes, relying instead on timing, tone, and really working on their musical ear. Oh, and those bends that are so important.
If you want to learn how legendary guitarists like Scotty Moore, Catfish Collins, Grant Green, Reggie Young, B.B. King, John Lee Hooker, and even David Gilmour get their sound, watch this interview. JD breaks down their signature approaches using just a Gibson ES-335 and plays some riffs you’ll instantly recognise. You’ll come away with actionable advice you can apply today—from muting tricks for chicken pickin’ to Grant Green-inspired jazz warmth and John Lee Hooker’s raw blues thump.
Who is JD Simo?
JD Simo is a Chicago-born, Nashville-based guitarist, singer, songwriter, and first-call session player known for blues, rock, and psychedelic soul—solo, with his band SIMO, and out on the road recently with Chris Isaak. He keeps a tight toolkit—usually a Princeton, a small rotation of nine or 10 guitars, and not much in between. “I’m a minimalist,” he explains. “They’re tools. I’m not precious. I fly with them and use them.”
Early fandom for the likes of Scotty Moore and Steve Cropper led JD Simo to Memphis soul, a deep Beatles phase, then Chicago and Delta blues. In our video interview, he talks about how he learned to play guitar by ear—raiding cheap vinyl and the library to get those signature sounds he loves—then started playing in bars as a kid. That ear-first approach still drives his advice today: learn by listening, use video only to double-check, and build real hand strength so bends stay at pitch. “Knowing your stuff is immensely important when you’re in high-pressure situations,” he says.
What are some of JD Simo’s essential guitar playing tips?
Simo’s tone philosophy is simple and straightforward: set the amp to be quite bright, roll the guitar tone back a notch or two, and change pick position to change the voice—pick at the bridge end for percussive bite, neck end for soft attack and “long hang,” as JD puts it. For slide guitar, pick one type of slide, whether it’s glass or metal, stick with it, start on the G and D strings, and mute smartly with the picking hand. “One day you’ll do it,” he says. “It just takes time.”
Where can I hear JD Simo’s guitar style in action?
Right here in the Gibson Gear Guide interview: JD and Dinesh move from chicken pickin’ snap to jazz club smooth, swampy blues, soulful slide, and tight funk rhythms—all on a Gibson ES-335 with minimal additional gear. From there, dive into JD’s solo work by visiting his official site and checking out current live shows with Chris Isaak. Additionally, you can follow his own YouTube channel for more.
Check out the full range of Gibson ES-335 guitars here or view the related products below, including the guitars Dinesh and JD are playing in the video.
