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Riff Tone
Friends, Lovers or Nothing
John Mayer
Guitarrock2000s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson '61 SG Standard
AmpDumble Steel String Singer
Amp Settings
gain4
bass6.5
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Notes
Studio recording, Battle Studies album (2009). For the riff section, Mayer used the Gibson SG (not his usual Strat), plugged into a Dumble SSS. This is confirmed for the studio version, not live. No evidence of additional amps for the riff section.
Tone Character(10)
warm and glassyslightly compressedtouch-sensitivefull-bodied low endarticulate and expressiveedge-of-breakup claritydynamic response to pickingnot overly brightrounded highssubtle reverb ambience
Difficulty
The riff requires intermediate-level technique due to Mayer's signature chord voicings, dynamic picking, and the need for clean articulation with subtle muting. The tone is sensitive to playing dynamics, demanding control and finesse.
Create an account to adapt this tone to your gear
Create Free AccountGuitarrock2000s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson '61 SG Standard
AmpDumble Steel String Singer
Amp Settings
gain4
bass6.5
Create an account to see all tone details
Create Free AccountEffects & Signal Chain
Notes
Studio recording, Battle Studies album (2009). For the riff section, Mayer used the Gibson SG (not his usual Strat), plugged into a Dumble SSS. This is confirmed for the studio version, not live. No evidence of additional amps for the riff section.
Tone Character(10)
warm and glassyslightly compressedtouch-sensitivefull-bodied low endarticulate and expressiveedge-of-breakup claritydynamic response to pickingnot overly brightrounded highssubtle reverb ambience
Difficulty
The riff requires intermediate-level technique due to Mayer's signature chord voicings, dynamic picking, and the need for clean articulation with subtle muting. The tone is sensitive to playing dynamics, demanding control and finesse.