When Eric Johnson tore it up on a custom Dean V built for Dave Mustaine and the Experience Hendrix to

This one-off guitar pays tribute to one of Jimi Hendrix’s most iconic instruments and was previously used by Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine during the Experience Hendrix tour.

In a rare and fascinating crossover of musical worlds, new video footage has surfaced online showing blues-rock legend Eric Johnson showcasing his signature style on a metal-focused Dean V guitar that had originally been built for Dave Mustaine.

The clip was shared on Instagram by Andrew Michael Barnes, a Custom Shop luthier for the American guitar manufacturer Dean. In his post, Barnes explained that the sharp-edged instrument was assembled specifically for use on an Experience Jimi Hendrix tour, most likely around 2022.

Experience Hendrix is an annual touring celebration that brings together an all-star lineup of musicians. Longtime staples of the tour include Eric Johnson and Billy Cox, the bassist who performed alongside Jimi Hendrix himself. The project exists to honor and preserve the legacy of the late guitar icon.

The 2022 edition of the tour featured an impressive roster that included Dave Mustaine, Joe Satriani, and Dweezil Zappa. For that run, Mustaine turned to Barnes to build a V-shaped guitar inspired by Hendrix’s legendary Love Drops V, which was reissued toward the end of last year. As the video shows, however, Eric Johnson could not resist giving the guitar a proper test drive.

In the footage, Eric Johnson puts the instrument through its paces, unleashing rich tones enhanced by a thick octave fuzz pedal operating off-camera. His knowing smile and raised fists at the end of the clip strongly suggest that the guitar earned his approval.

“One of my favorite moments,” Barnes wrote in the caption.
“Mr. Eric Johnson shredding on a Dean guitar that I built for Mr. Dave Mustaine to use on the Experience Hendrix tour years ago.”

The night also featured a guest appearance by Zakk Wylde, which is evident from the number of Wylde Audio six-string guitars visible in the background of the video.

Following the 2024 edition of the tour, which showcased Hendrix’s famed Izabella Stratocaster, the 2025 Experience Hendrix run concluded on April 12. That lineup included Eric Johnson, Zakk Wylde, and Kenny Wayne Shepherd, alongside rising stars Ally Venable and Marcus King.