Solo Tone

Love Yourself

Justin Bieber

Guitarother2010s+

Original Gear

GuitarFender Stratocaster (likely John Mayer's signature or similar, single-coil pickups)

AmpDirect input (DI) or amp sim (John Mayer session rig, likely no physical amp used; possibly Akai MPC or amp/cab sim plugin as per Mayer's session workflow)

PickupsFender single-coil (likely 1960s-style, as used by John Mayer)

Amp Settings

gain0

bass5

mid5.5

treble6.5

reverb3

presence5

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 2015. John Mayer played the solo as a session guitarist. Multiple sources confirm Mayer's involvement and his tendency to use a stripped-down, amp-less setup for pop sessions. No evidence of live amp or pedalboard use for this solo.

Tone Character(10)

warm and roundedcrisp and articulateintimate and close-mic'dpercussive fingerstyle attackminimal sustainno audible overdrivesubtle room ambiencedynamic and expressivepop/acoustic crossover feelclear single-coil presence

Difficulty

The solo is technically simple but requires clean fingerstyle technique, dynamic control, and precision to maintain the exposed, intimate tone.

Sources

John Mayer has recorded a “wicked” guitar solo for Justin Bieber’s forthcoming album | Guitar World LOVE YOURSELF CHORDS by Justin Bieber @ Ultimate-Guitar.Com [PLAY] "Love Yourself" - Justin Bieber (Fingerstyle Guitar ...

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Guitarother2010s+

Original Gear

GuitarFender Stratocaster (likely John Mayer's signature or similar, single-coil pickups)

AmpDirect input (DI) or amp sim (John Mayer session rig, likely no physical amp used; possibly Akai MPC or amp/cab sim plugin as per Mayer's session workflow)

PickupsFender single-coil (likely 1960s-style, as used by John Mayer)