Riff Tone
Daughters
John Mayer
Guitarblues2000s
Original Gear
GuitarFender John Mayer Signature Stratocaster
AmpFender '65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue
PickupsFender Big Dipper single-coil pickups
Amp Settings
gain0
bass6
mid6.5
treble6.5
reverb4
presence5
Effects & Signal Chain
compressionKeeley Keeley Compressor Plus
reverbStrymon Strymon Flint Tremolo & Reverb
Notes
Studio recording, 2003-2004 era (Heavier Things album). Mayer used his Fender Signature Stratocaster with Big Dipper pickups into a Fender Deluxe Reverb for the clean, articulate riff tone. No evidence of PRS Silver Sky or PRS J-MOD 100 on the original studio recording; those are later live/tour gear.
Tone Character(10)
warm and smoothclear and articulatetouch-sensitiveslightly scooped midsrounded highsdynamic and expressivesubtle compressionlush but subtle reverbclean with light breakup at peaksfingerstyle clarity
Difficulty
The riff requires intermediate to advanced fingerstyle technique, thumb-over chords, and dynamic control for the nuanced, expressive sound. The subtlety and articulation needed for Mayer's style elevate the difficulty above basic chord work.
Sources
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Original Gear
GuitarFender John Mayer Signature Stratocaster
AmpFender '65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue
PickupsFender Big Dipper single-coil pickups
Amp Settings
gain0
bass6
mid6.5
treble6.5
reverb4
presence5
Effects & Signal Chain
compressionKeeley Keeley Compressor Plus
reverbStrymon Strymon Flint Tremolo & Reverb
Notes
Studio recording, 2003-2004 era (Heavier Things album). Mayer used his Fender Signature Stratocaster with Big Dipper pickups into a Fender Deluxe Reverb for the clean, articulate riff tone. No evidence of PRS Silver Sky or PRS J-MOD 100 on the original studio recording; those are later live/tour gear.
Tone Character(10)
warm and smoothclear and articulatetouch-sensitiveslightly scooped midsrounded highsdynamic and expressivesubtle compressionlush but subtle reverbclean with light breakup at peaksfingerstyle clarity
Difficulty
The riff requires intermediate to advanced fingerstyle technique, thumb-over chords, and dynamic control for the nuanced, expressive sound. The subtlety and articulation needed for Mayer's style elevate the difficulty above basic chord work.
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