Riff Tone

Who Did You Think I Was (Live at the House of Blues, Chicago, IL, 09/22/05)

John Mayer Trio

Guitarblues2000s

Original Gear

GuitarFender Stratocaster (likely 1964 or Custom Shop, with lightly wound pickups)

AmpDumble Overdrive Special (used live for John Mayer Trio era, as confirmed by Keith Urban interview and multiple gear forums)

PickupsFender single-coil (vintage-style, lightly wound)

Amp Settings

gain4

bass7

mid7

treble6

reverb3

presence5.5

Effects & Signal Chain

overdriveIbanez Ibanez TS808 or TS9 Tube Screamer

boostKeeley Keeley Katana Boost

overdriveKlon Klon Centaur

Notes

Live performance, House of Blues, Chicago, 09/22/05. John Mayer Trio era. Guitar is a Stratocaster with single-coils, amp is a Dumble Overdrive Special. Pedals include Ibanez Tube Screamer (TS808 or TS9), Keeley Katana Boost, and likely a Klon Centaur. No evidence of time-based or modulation effects in riff section. Settings estimated based on genre, era, and typical Mayer rig for this tour.

Tone Character(10)

edge-of-breakup crunchwarm and punchy low endtouch-sensitive dynamicscrystalline claritydynamic, percussive attackarticulate single-coil snapcompressed but not saturatedopen, airy highsSRV-inspired tonetight, bluesy rhythm

Difficulty

The riff requires intermediate skill due to its syncopated blues shuffle, dynamic picking, and control of touch-sensitive edge-of-breakup tone, but does not involve advanced soloing or extreme technical demands.