Riff Tone

Bigger Than My Body

John Mayer

Guitarrock2000s

Original Gear

GuitarFender Stratocaster (likely John Mayer Signature or early 2000s Custom Shop Strat)

AmpRoger Linn Design AdrenaLinn III (amp modeling and effects processor, used for riff section)

PickupsFender Custom Shop single-coil pickups

Amp Settings

gain4

bass6

mid6.5

treble6.5

reverb3

presence5.5

Effects & Signal Chain

modulationRoger Linn Design Roger Linn Design AdrenaLinn III

Notes

Studio recording, 2003-2004 era. The riff section of 'Bigger Than My Body' is widely documented as using the Roger Linn AdrenaLinn for its signature arpeggiated filter effect. The guitar is a Stratocaster with single-coil pickups, not a PRS or Silver Sky (which came later). The AdrenaLinn III provides both amp simulation and effects for this part, not a traditional tube amp.

Tone Character(9)

synth-like arpeggiated filter effectbright and articulateclean and percussivedynamic, touch-sensitive responsecrisp single-coil claritytight, focused low endminimal amp breakupdistinctive rhythmic filter sweepmodulated rhythmic pulse

Difficulty

The riff requires tight rhythmic accuracy to lock in with the AdrenaLinn's arpeggiator, clean and consistent picking, and careful control of dynamics to maintain clarity through the filter effect.

Sources

Bigger than my body tone : r/JohnMayer - Reddit What is that synth-y sound in 'Bigger than my Body', in the intro? Is ...John Mayer's Guitar Rig Gear, Pedals, Amps, Strings

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