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Riff Tone

Crossroads

John Mayer

Guitarblues2010s+

Original Gear

GuitarFender Custom Shop Stratocaster (John Mayer Signature or early '60s style, maple neck, rosewood board)
AmpPRS J-MOD 100 John Mayer Signature 100-watt head with matching 2x12 Cabinet

Amp Settings

gain4
bass6.5

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Effects & Signal Chain

Notes

Live performance, Crossroads 2010. Mayer uses his amp as a clean platform and gets drive from pedals. No evidence of Dumble or Two-Rock for this era/riff. Pedalboard is the main source of gain. No onboard amp reverb; Mayer uses external reverb units for ambience, but not always engaged for riff sections.

Tone Character(10)
fat and punchy single-coil attackdynamic, touch-sensitive responsecrunchy, mid-gain driveclear note separationslightly compressedarticulate and percussiveedge-of-breakup feelnot overly saturatedwarm but with biteresponsive to picking dynamics

Difficulty

The riff demands advanced blues-rock technique, fast and precise picking, dynamic control, and articulation under a crunchy, touch-sensitive drive. The syncopation and hybrid picking make it challenging for most players.

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