Getting The Right John Mayer Tone

[kingviktory]

Hello. James here,

 

So I'm new to these forums, and couldn't find much insight into what I'm about to ask.

 

I'm trying to set up a scene on my M13 detailing three specific tones used by John Mayer.

 

Tone 1 : from Where The Light Is - GRAVITY(LIVE) : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnTkVZCxHHs

 

Tone 2: from Where The Light Is - BELIEF(LIVE) : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zn13GjkIxg4

 

Tone 3: from Letterman - CROSSROADS(LIVE) : 

 

 

As far as equipment is concerned:

 

-Fender Blacktop Strat, 2 Humbuckers

 

-Fender Frontman 15g

 

-Line 6 M13 Stompbox Modeler

 

So that's that. If you guys could provide me with some insight on how I could achieve these sounds, that'd be helpful. Thanks. 

 

James

 

If possible, I'd like to make this thread dedicated to the JM fans out there.

[phil_m]

I really don't hear a lot of effects on any of those tunes. On "Gravity", it sounds pretty much like he's clean with the reverb from his amp. So if your amp doesn't have reverb, the '63 Spring effect could get you pretty close.

 

On "Belief", he's using some sort of distortion for the intro. To me, it sounds like the M13's Tube Drive effect could get you something like that tone.

 

On "Crossroads", it's definitely some sort of fuzz he's using. I would try the M13's Facial Fuzz as a starting point.

 

For Mayer's tones, it really comes down a lot to getting that amp and guitar tone down first, though. He mostly uses effects to add flavor to his core tone. Unfortunately, I think you're going to have a harder time with the guitar tone simply because you're trying to match his single coil based tone with humbuckers.

[jws1982]

Aside from just tone, if you're wanting to get his specific sound, you'll need to match his playing style too.

 

Otherwise, I'd just start with something close to his tone, then tweak it to sound and work well with the way you play.

[kingviktory]

Thanks guys. That certainly helped. Crossroads is little weird right now and needs some tweaking, but Gravity and Belief sound GREAT. I had to add some stuff because of my pickup situation, but it all worked out. I'll post deets soon.

 

Thanks a lot. 

 

James

[bjnette]

Apart from what is in the fingers of the player which is at the top of the list.

 

From what I have gleened over the years with big acts with a tech staff, you'll find the Amps are highly modified. Many use rare and very expensive rack FX it not uncommon for their techs to own what gets used. Some of those harmonizer FX spacial FX are expensive boxes. Make no mistake about it.

 

Hopefully you can make some sort of semblance with what you got.