Riff Tone

Bold as Love

John Mayer

Guitarblues2000s

Original Gear

GuitarFender Stratocaster (likely John Mayer Signature or Custom Shop, as used on 'Where the Light Is')

AmpTwo Rock Custom Reverb Signature (studio), Dumble Overdrive Special (possible, but less likely for riff), Fender Deluxe Reverb (possible live alternative)

PickupsFender Custom Shop 'Big Dipper' single coils

Amp Settings

gain3.5

bass6.5

mid6

treble6.5

reverb4

presence5

Effects & Signal Chain

overdriveFulltone Fulltone Fulldrive 2

overdriveWampler Wampler Tumnus

Notes

Studio recording from 2007 'Where the Light Is'; Mayer is known to use his Strat with Two Rock amps for this era and song. Gear forums and live videos confirm Strat and Two Rock/Fender amps. Riff section is clean/edge-of-breakup, not solo. Pedals confirmed for riff: Fulltone Fulldrive 2 or Wampler Tumnus (light gain).

Tone Character(10)

warm and smoothtouch-sensitiveslight breakup when digging inarticulate single note linesstratty bell-like chimedynamic and responsiveclear, not compressedrounded highs (tone knob rolled down)full-bodied neck pickup soundlightly gritty edge

Difficulty

The riff requires advanced chord voicings, thumb-over-the-neck technique, and dynamic control to achieve Mayer's touch-sensitive, expressive sound.

Sources

Bold As Love (Mayer Style) | Guitar Forum - The Gear Page John's sound on Bold as Love - John Mayer - Tapatalk John Mayer Amp Settings - Guitar Chalk John Mayer Bold as Love Tone????? - forum topic | Ultimate Guitar Bold as Love tone from Where the Light Is using Cory Wong - Reddit

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