Riff Tone

Who Did You Think I Was (Live at the Nokia Theatre, Los Angeles, CA - December 2007)

John Mayer

Guitarblues2000s

Original Gear

GuitarFender Stratocaster (John Mayer Signature or Custom Shop, mid-2000s, likely with Big Dipper pickups)

AmpTwo-Rock Custom Reverb Signature (early/mid-2000s model, live rig)

PickupsFender Big Dipper single-coils

Amp Settings

gain4.5

bass7

mid7

treble6

reverb3

presence5.5

Effects & Signal Chain

overdriveBoss Boss BD-2 Blues Driver

overdriveIbanez Ibanez TS808 Tube Screamer

Notes

Live performance at Nokia Theatre, Los Angeles, December 2007 (Where the Light Is concert). Gear based on live pedalboard photos and multiple forum discussions referencing this era. No evidence of alternate guitars or amps for this riff section.

Tone Character(10)

thick and saturatedtouch-sensitive and dynamicedge-of-breakup crunchwarm, rounded midrangetight low endarticulate pick attackslightly compressed but openpercussive, funky rhythm feelclear note separationnot high-gain, retains clarity

Difficulty

The riff requires intermediate to advanced funk/blues rhythm skills, including syncopated picking, muting, and dynamic control to achieve the signature Mayer feel.

Sources

[NPD] x3 - John Mayer Board, Revision 3 : r/guitarpedals - Reddit Pedal chain order for an amp without an effects loop? - Reddit John Mayer – Where the Light Is: John Mayer Live In Los Angeles - Gear & Equipment Used on the Album | Equipboard

This tone has been researched 3 times by the community

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