Riff Tone
City Love
John Mayer
Guitarblues2000s
Original Gear
GuitarFender Stratocaster (early '60s, likely 1961-1964, maple neck, rosewood board)
AmpFender Hot Rod Series (likely Hot Rod Deluxe or Hot Rod DeVille, or Fender Vibro-King; most probable: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe)
PickupsFender single-coil pickups (vintage-style, stock or period-correct replacements)
Amp Settings
gain3.5
bass6
mid6.5
treble6.5
reverb3.5
presence5.5
Effects & Signal Chain
overdriveIbanez Ibanez TS10 Tube Screamer
Notes
Studio recording for 'Room For Squares' (2001). Sources confirm Mayer used early '60s Stratocasters and Fender Hot Rod amps for this era. No evidence of PRS, Dumble, or boutique amps on this album. Pedalboard was minimal, focused on overdrive and clean boost. No evidence of modulation or time-based pedals for this riff section.
Tone Character(10)
warm and smoothbell-like claritytouch-sensitiveslight breakup on hard pickingdynamic and articulaterounded highspresent midstight low endmild amp compressionsubtle spring reverb
Difficulty
The riff requires intermediate-level rhythmic precision, dynamic control for edge-of-breakup response, and clean articulation of syncopated chord stabs with subtle muting. Not technically advanced, but demands finesse and groove.
Sources
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Original Gear
GuitarFender Stratocaster (early '60s, likely 1961-1964, maple neck, rosewood board)
AmpFender Hot Rod Series (likely Hot Rod Deluxe or Hot Rod DeVille, or Fender Vibro-King; most probable: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe)
PickupsFender single-coil pickups (vintage-style, stock or period-correct replacements)
Amp Settings
gain3.5
bass6
mid6.5
treble6.5
reverb3.5
presence5.5
Effects & Signal Chain
overdriveIbanez Ibanez TS10 Tube Screamer
Notes
Studio recording for 'Room For Squares' (2001). Sources confirm Mayer used early '60s Stratocasters and Fender Hot Rod amps for this era. No evidence of PRS, Dumble, or boutique amps on this album. Pedalboard was minimal, focused on overdrive and clean boost. No evidence of modulation or time-based pedals for this riff section.
Tone Character(10)
warm and smoothbell-like claritytouch-sensitiveslight breakup on hard pickingdynamic and articulaterounded highspresent midstight low endmild amp compressionsubtle spring reverb
Difficulty
The riff requires intermediate-level rhythmic precision, dynamic control for edge-of-breakup response, and clean articulation of syncopated chord stabs with subtle muting. Not technically advanced, but demands finesse and groove.
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