Riff Tone

Tom and Jerry

John Mayer

Guitarrock2010s+

Original Gear

GuitarPRS Silver Sky (likely Dead Spec or standard, single-coil pickups)

AmpAlessandro Custom Amp (likely paired with Two-Rock Custom Reverb Signature and/or Fender Deluxe Reverb, as per Mayer's Dead & Company era rig)

PickupsPRS Silver Sky single-coil pickups

Amp Settings

gain4

bass6.5

mid6.5

treble6.5

reverb3.5

presence5.5

Effects & Signal Chain

overdriveKlon Klon Centaur

overdriveIbanez Ibanez TS10 Tube Screamer Classic

modulationElectro-Harmonix Electro-Harmonix Q-Tron

delayWay Huge Way Huge Aqua-Puss

compressionAnalog Man Analog Man Comprossor

Notes

Studio recording, 2021 (Dead & Company era). Gear inferred from Mayer's known Dead & Company rig and pedalboard for this period. No direct source confirms the exact guitar/amp for 'Tom and Jerry' riff, but Silver Sky and Alessandro/Two-Rock are overwhelmingly documented for this era and style.

Tone Character(10)

glassy and articulatetouch-sensitive edge-of-breakupclear single-coil snapdynamic and responsiveslightly compressedopen and airymild overdrivesubtle spring reverbtight, percussive rhythmbright but not harsh

Difficulty

The riff demands advanced rhythmic precision, dynamic control for Mayer's signature touch-sensitivity, and incorporates intricate chord voicings with percussive ghost notes, making it challenging for most players.