John Mayer's Equipment [Amps, Guitars, Effects]

John Mayer was born on October 1977, 10 in Fairfield, Connecticut, USA.
He grew up in a quiet suburban area and first encountered the guitar at the age of 13. The trigger was a live video of Stevie Ray Vaughan (SRV). The boy was so moved by his thunderous playing that he became obsessed with the blues.

He learned to play guitar almost entirely by himself over the course of three years, and by the time he was in high school he had already become skilled enough to play in a local band, and while his musical roots lay in the blues, he was also developing the kind of sensitive melody that is unique to John Mayer.

At the age of 19, he enrolled in the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston. However, he felt dissatisfied with the classroom-based classes there and dropped out after a few months. He then moved to Atlanta with fellow musician Clay Cook and released the self-produced album Inside Wants Out (1999). He gradually gained support in the local scene and caught the eye of a label executive who saw him perform live.

In 2001, they signed with Columbia Records and released their major label debut, Room for Squares.
She shot to stardom with the smash hit "Your Body Is a Wonderland."
His style, which combines blues-inspired guitar work with sentimental lyrics and pop melodies, has earned him support as a "new generation singer-songwriter."

Despite his success after his debut, Mayer struggled with the image of a "pop idol" and decided to redefine himself as a guitarist. In 2005, he formed the "John Mayer Trio" with two legendary musicians, Steve Jordan (drums) and Pino Palladino (bass).

In the live album "Try!", they showed off a performance that condensed the essence of blues, soul, and funk, completely changing the listener's perception. Armed with the expressiveness they gained there, they released the masterpiece "Continuum" in 2006.
It was the moment when the true "John Mayer sound" was created, combining his two roles as a singer-songwriter and a guitarist.

However, things weren't smooth sailing for Mayer around 2010.
He was criticized for his radical statements, and his love life became the topic of conversation. As the media bashing continued, he was found to have polyps on his vocal cords, and he had to take a break from activities. The days when he could not even sing prompted him to reflect on himself and make a fresh start.

The result was two albums, 2012's Born and Raised and 2013's Paradise Valley, both of which were heavily influenced by country and folk.
Mayer re-wove a simple, warm sound, as if to paint a vast landscape of America. It was no longer blues or pop, but a new "Americana" sound.

In 2015, surprising news spread across the music world: the members of the Grateful Dead reunited to form a new band called "Dead & Company."
The person chosen as the lead guitarist was John Mayer.

While inheriting the spirit of his beloved Jerry Garcia, he entered the world of jam bands with his own unique feeling, and turned the skepticism of Deadheads into understanding.
Mayer's style of improvisation and vocal talent breathed new life into some of the Dead's greatest songs.

At the same time, his solo activities did not stop.
2017's "The Search for Everything" marked a return to pop, but with a structure that still retained a strong guitar presence.
In 2021, he released the album "Sob Rock," a thorough homage to 1980s AOR and pop rock. The crystallization of the aesthetic of the intertwining of synths and clean guitars was described by some as "the most emotional 80s" and was highly praised by the younger generation.

Today, Mayer is a trinity of singer, guitarist, and jam player.
With an acoustic solo live show, the final tour of Dead & Company, and work on a new album, his creative drive is never-ending.

Pop and blues, intelligence and passion, past and future.
John Mayer is an artist who contains everything and tells a story with his voice and guitar.

"It all started here" - the origins of the young Mayer

After graduating from high school, John Mayer acquired his first "real guitar" while working a part-time job at a gas station.
This was the signature model of his beloved Stevie Ray Vaughan (SRV), and it was with this guitar that Mayer began his career as a bluesman.

This guitar also appears frequently in Mayer's live footage (early Room for Squares period).
This Strat, which was heavily influenced by SRV with its slightly heavy midrange, sticky tone, thick neck, and vintage-style bridge, was the starting point of Mayer's ``modern interpretation of the blues.''

The black companion that gave birth to the legend. The one that has been the source of the most memorable performances.

The guitar that Mayer has had the most experience with is the “Black1”.
This is a completely one-off piece made by John Cruz of the Fender Custom Shop, and its notable features are the visible paint peeling and the warm, smooth tone of the pickups.

The pickups were hand-wound by Cruise and have a distinctive mid-scooped tone.
This specification was later featured on Mayer's signature Strat as the "Big Dipper."

Masterpiece: Most of Mayer's iconic tones on the great live album Where the Light Is came from this guitar, including "Gravity," "Slow Dancing in a Burning Room," "Belief," and "Vultures."

Truly a "sound icon of modern blues."

This was John Mayer's official signature model, released to the public by Fender in the mid-2000s.
Equipped with three "Big Dipper" pickups customized by the artist, it delivers a clear, clean sound with just the right amount of mid-range suppression.

It is packed with elements that fans will love, including a range of colors such as sunburst and Olympic white, and a case with Mayer's skull logo.

Due to a contract with PRS (described below), production ended around 2014.
However, it still enjoys strong popularity on the second-hand market, and is a coveted item among fans, along with the "Black 1."

This signature model was developed jointly by Mayer and PRS in 2018.
This guitar perfectly fits the catchphrase, "It looks like a Strat, but it's all-new inside."

In order to reproduce the feel of the vintage Stratocaster that Mayer loved so much, the guitar was designed with meticulous attention to detail, from the neck shape to the body contour, bridge range, and postmodern head shape.

The tone is very well balanced, with thickness and warmth in the front and clarity in the rear. It has already taken over from the "Black1" as the main amp during live performances.

PRS has also released a cheaper version, the Silver Sky SE, bringing the Meyer Sound to younger guitarists as well.

"Homage to Jimi" — Mayer pays tribute to another legendary Strat

This guitar was played at the legendary rock festival "Monterey Pop Festival" in 1967.Jimi Hendrix burned his StratocasterThis is a model that reproduces the above.
The performance at the festival and the burning guitar are iconic scenes in rock history, and in 1 Fender Custom Shop produced a limited edition replica of this memorable instrument.

Features include:

• Alder body (vintage style)
• 60's C-shaped maple neck with rosewood fingerboard
• Three genuine Fender Custom '65 pickups
• Hand-painted floral paint (Monterey tribute)
• Vintage synchronized tremolo
• Anodized Gold Pickguard

This is an extremely rare model that is considered a collector's item and is rarely seen on the general market.

Mayer uses this guitar mainly forWhen playing Jimi Hendrix covers.
Particularly impressive is the inclusion of songs such as "Bold As Love" and "Wait Until Tomorrow" in the "set list paying homage to Jimi."

For him, this guitar is not just a reproduction of the appearance,Inheritance of "sound and spirituality".
"I wanted to get as close as possible to the energy that Jimi unleashed at that festival," says Mayer, and he pays homage through the Monterey Strat.

In addition, this model's gorgeous appearance makes it stand out even in insert songs in acoustic sets, and it has an outstanding presence on stage.

The ES-335 was created by Gibson in 1958.The origin of the semi-acoustic guitar.
The design is somewhere between full hollow and solid, and it has an appealing tone that is both sweet and punchy.

The Memphis ES-335 is a handmade series produced in the Memphis, Tennessee, USA factory, and has the following features:

• Maple top and back + center block construction
• Thick and warm sound produced by humbuckers ('57 Classic type)
• Satin finish for good sound
• Tune-O-Matic bridge + stop tailpiece stability

Mayer uses this ES-335From smoky blues to jazzy ballads.
It appears especially in songs such as "Vultures," "Gravity (Studio Ver.)," and "Try."

The dense tone that sets it apart from single coils gives persuasive power to solos and creates richness and resonance in chord playing.

It is also used in Dead & Company jams.A sweet, singing tone that doesn't break down even at high outputIt is appreciated for its ability to bring out the best in students.

"The ES-335 has a depth that a Strat just can't reach." — John Mayer

OMJM was released by Martin in 2003.John Mayer's first acoustic signature model.
"OM" stands for "Orchestra Model" and is slightly larger than the 000 size but smaller than the D-28, making it a versatile body size that provides a good balance for both fingerstyle and stroke playing.

This model has the following features:

• Sitka spruce top, Indian rosewood back and sides
• Ebony fretboard, mahogany neck
• Built-in Fishman Gold Plus Natural pickup (stage ready)
• Mayer signature engraving and special label
• Plain yet luxurious satin finish

Of particular note is thatClear, detailed response and solid mid-bass.
It faithfully reflects picking nuances, and has even been described as "changing the atmosphere with just one note."

Mayer calls this OMJM,Acoustic solo sets and balladsUsed frequently.
In particular, "Stop This Train," "Heart of Life," and "Daughters."A song filled with emotion in its silenceThis model will almost always be available.

It is also used impressively on the live recording "Where the Light Is," and in Mayer's style of playing, which mixes a pick and fingerpicking, the OMJM's delicate yet powerful sound is truly like a "voice."

"When I play acoustically I want to whisper, not scream. That's when I rely on the OMJM." — John Mayer

A semi-custom model for Mayer developed as a replacement for the Dumble.
It was used extensively on the 2006 "Where the Light Is" tour, and has a thick, solid tone even when clean. The reverb and gain structure are customized based on Mayer's requests.Natural tone that reflects the strength of your pickingIs a feature.

Since carrying around a Dumble during a live performance is risky, the Two-Rock is a good alternative. The three-dimensional sound and projection are similar to the Dumble, but it's easy to use.

The "dream amp" is an essential part of any discussion of John Mayer's tone.
This amp is a rare gem made by Dumble, with only a few dozen in existence worldwide, and is characterized by its clean yet thick, three-dimensional tone.
Mayer used this amp on the recording of Continuum and in some of his most iconic live performances, including "Where the Light Is." It's especially useful on tracks like "Gravity" and "Slow Dancing in a Burning Room."Sticky yet clear clean soundThis is largely due to Dumble.

🎙️ "The clean tone of this amp is singing, which is what I like best." – Mayer (interview)

Because the Dumbles are custom-made, the position of the tone controls and the circuits are different for each one. John's is said to be tuned slightly towards the mids, giving the guitar a very expressive range when adjusting the volume.

Mayer's signature amp, developed in collaboration with PRS.
J-MOD isThe thick, smooth tone of a vacuum tubeBased on this, we have pursued a wide headroom that will not break down even in live performances. Although it is a single channel design, you can control it from clean to crunch by adjusting the gain stage.

Mayer's aesthetic is reflected in the fact that the reverb is not installed and that external reverb is used only when necessary.Blend for multi-amp configurationIt is often played with a bell.

The sticky midrange and gain inherited from the SRV. Used for lead parts.
It is often used alone or stacked with Klon.

Songs used:

• "Belief": Step on it when playing solos for a powerful tone with emphasis on the mids.
• "Bold as Love": This Jimi Hendrix cover makes the most of the sticky distortion of the TS style.
• "Queen of California": Used in the intro and the melody line in the middle.

Leave it on all the time to add harmonics, midrange thickness, and shine to clean tones.
By stacking it with a distortion pedal such as the TS10, you can create depth in the sound.

Songs used:

• "Slow Dancing in a Burning Room": A foundation that creates an exquisite distortion that is somewhere between clean and crunch.
• "Gravity": Adds a slight sense of compression to the clean bass.
• "I Don't Trust Myself": A light Klon tone creates a "talkative" lead tone.

This boosts the volume while leaving the original sound intact. Ideal for playing that emphasizes dynamics.
Place it before or after other distortion pedals for nuanced control.

Songs used:

• "Who Says": Create a "forward-thinking" clean guitar sound from the intro to the first verse.
• "In Your Atmosphere (Live)": Increases the clarity and extension of arpeggios.

Can be used as a substitute for TS, or with two levels of gain (Normal/Boost).
Smooth overdrive + solo boost all in one unit.

Songs used:

• "Crossroads (Live)": The first chorus is TS-like, and the second chorus uses Boost to emphasize the solo feel.
• "Good Love Is on the Way": The tone changes for each phrase, creating an offensive and defensive effect.

POG2 is an Electro-HarmonixPolyphonic Octave Generator.
It has the ability to "add octaves above and below the original sound" and also has excellent tracking capabilities that do not muddy the sound of chords.

• +1, +2, -1, -2 octaves can be added simultaneously
• Attack Delay and LPF (Low Pass Filter) can also be used to create different sounds.
• Can produce a thickness similar to that of an organ or 12-string guitar

Mayer is playing POG2 live.Creating atmospheric tonesUsed for.
Add a -1 octave under the chord to create a rich chord feel, or blend in a +1 octave for the solo part.Violin and organ soundsIt can be used to create a sense of spatial expansion, for example by creating a room with a large ceiling.

• "Rosie": A light mix of +1 octave adds overtones to the solo tones
• "In Repair (Live)" - +1 Oct and Attack Delay added to the arpeggio for a dreamy intro.

BOSS's classic octaver.
A famous model from the 80s.-1 and -2 octave generation for single notesIs possible.
Its appeal lies in the "thick bass sound" and "rough warmth" that are unique to analog circuits.

• When used as a single note, it produces a thick bottom sound with less sound loss.
• It is loved by many bassists, but is also used widely on guitars.

Mayer hasDead & Company solo/groove partsUsed in.
When wanting to add weight to chords or riffs in particular, adding -1Oct creates a fuzz-like tone.

The lower octave is not fully output,Delicately adjusted balance with the original soundWhat's impressive is how it's used solely as a "booster to increase sound pressure."

• "Deal (Dead & Company)" - Used on lead guitar to reinforce the low end
• "Althea": Used to temporarily add weight to the sound during groove parts during jams

MXR's proud Phaser. It has a wider variable range than the Phase 90 and multiple speed modes.Vintage phase effectproduces

• You can switch the texture of the phase feeling between four modes
• Supports a wide range of sounds from smooth and warm to sharp and distinctive vibrations
• Popular among guitarists in the 90s and 2000s

Mayer uses phasersStrat + clean toneMake the most of the combination of these.
Applying it lightly especially to cutting and arpeggios adds "swell" and "depth" to the sound.

Phase 100 isIt can also be used in a similar way to tremolo.Therefore, it is often chosen when you want to recreate a "vintage ensemble."

• "Something Like Olivia (Live)": A soft sway is added to the cutting to create nuance.
• "Still Feel Like Your Man": One of the tracks with the most exquisite "groove movement" caused by the phaser.

Added reverb as an alternative to amp reverb. Also used in conjunction with 60s style tremolo.
It is essential for producing deep clean tones.

Songs used:

• "Slow Dancing in a Burning Room": A light spring reverb is applied to the intro and first verse.
• "The Heart of Life": Reverb processing creates space in the guitar-only section.
• "Vultures": Tremolo is lightly added midway through the performance to create a vintage feel.

Way Huge's signature vintage-style analog delay.
Its appeal lies in its short delay of up to 300 ms and the "warm, fading" feel of the feedback.The player's hand habits and musicality are strongly reflected1 set.

• Simple 3 knob configuration (Delay / Feedback / Blend)
• A soft echo effect with some high frequencies cut off
• A pedal that adds a "tail" to the sound rather than creating space.

Mayer has this Aqua PussThickening lead tonesAndEmbellishing single note arpeggiosUsed for.
In studio recordings, it is often set to a short length to create a "recording take with a sense of space."

I'm also experimenting with turning off the amp's reverb and creating reverberation using only the Aqua Puss.

• "Edge of Desire": Used to add thickness to the main clean tone
• "Neon (Live)": Works as a short delay to add dimension to complex arpeggios.

A wah-like filter effect is automatically generated depending on the strength of your picking.
It creates an improvisational feel for funky songs and jams.

Songs used:

• "Who Did You Think I Was": Used as an accent in the riff section.
• "Going Down the Road Feeling Bad (Dead & Company)": Adds a dynamic tone when playing lead.
• "Vultures": Used in the live version to add a groove accent.

ELECTRO-HARMONIX / Q-TRON+ is an envelope filter created in collaboration with Mike Biegel, founder and developer of Mu-Tron. It has an effects loop while retaining the functionality of the original Q-Tron. You can add other effects between the preamp and filter sections, allowing you to create a wider variety of sounds while still taking advantage of the filter sound. The addition of a Response switch also allows you to vary the speed of the tone's attack.

A vintage-style wah with a wide range of adjustment and no quirks.
Mayer's style is to use sounds smoothly, as if making them "speak."

Songs used:

• "Bold as Love (Live)": Change the nuance of the pedal as you step on it during the solo in the second chorus.
• "Covered in Rain": Bold wah use in the intro and mid-guitar solo.
• "Ain't No Sunshine (Cover)": Used to spice up a lead groove.