Riff Tone

City Love (Live In Birmingham)

John Mayer

Guitarblues2000s

Original Gear

GuitarFender Stratocaster (likely 1964 or Custom Shop, as used by Mayer in early 2000s live performances)

AmpTwo-Rock Custom Reverb Signature (primary live amp for this era, as confirmed in rig rundowns for this tour)

PickupsFender single-coil pickups (stock or Custom Shop, vintage-voiced)

Amp Settings

gain4

bass6.5

mid6.5

treble6.5

reverb3.5

presence5.5

Effects & Signal Chain

overdriveIbanez Ibanez TS10 Tube Screamer Classic

boostKlon Klon Centaur Professional Overdrive

delayWay Huge Way Huge Aqua Puss Analog Delay

Notes

Live performance, 2003 (Any Given Thursday/Birmingham era). Mayer used a Stratocaster into a Two-Rock Custom Reverb Signature, with a Tube Screamer for edge-of-breakup. Pedalboard included TS10, Klon Centaur, and Way Huge Aqua Puss. No evidence of heavy modulation or time-based effects in the riff section. Settings estimated based on typical Mayer live setup and genre.

Tone Character(10)

warm and glassytouch-sensitiveslightly compresseddynamic and articulateedge-of-breakupclear note separationmild breakup on strong attackpresent midsrounded highsresponsive to picking dynamics

Difficulty

The riff requires intermediate-to-advanced rhythmic control, dynamic touch to manage edge-of-breakup response, and familiarity with Mayer's chord voicings and muting techniques.

Sources

How can I get this John Mayer tone? : r/guitarpedals Rig Rundown - John Mayer - Premier Guitar John Mayer – Any Given Thursday - Album

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