Riff Tone

Neon

John Mayer

Guitarblues2000s

Original Gear

GuitarFender Stratocaster (likely 1990s American Standard or Custom Shop, maple neck, as used on Room for Squares studio recording)

AmpFender Hot Rod Series (likely Hot Rod Deluxe or Blues Junior) or Two-Rock Custom Reverb (Room for Squares era studio amp, but exact model not confirmed for 'Neon')

PickupsFender single-coil Strat pickups (stock or Custom Shop, not noiseless, not humbucker)

Amp Settings

gain3.5

bass6

mid6.5

treble6.5

reverb3

presence5

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, Room for Squares (2001). Guitar is a Stratocaster with single-coil pickups. Amp is likely a Fender Hot Rod or Two-Rock Custom Reverb, as used by Mayer in this era. No evidence of pedals on the studio riff; live versions sometimes use Novax XR or Music Man Axis, but not on the original studio recording.

Tone Character(10)

bright and articulatetight and percussivewarm neck pickup tonedynamic and touch-sensitiveslightly compressededge-of-breakup clarityglassy highsfunky, rhythmic attackminimal sustainclean with subtle grit

Difficulty

The 'Neon' riff is considered expert-level due to its demanding fingerstyle technique, syncopated rhythm, wide stretches, and need for precise muting and dynamic control.

Sources

Neural DSP Archetype: John Mayer X review | Guitar World John Mayer's Guitars, Gear & Pedalboard | Equipboard

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