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Solo Tone
Love Yourself
Justin Bieber
Guitarother2010s+
Original Gear
GuitarFender Stratocaster (likely John Mayer's signature or similar, single-coil pickups)
AmpDirect input (DI) or amp sim (John Mayer session rig, likely no physical amp used; possibly Akai MPC or amp/cab sim plugin as per Mayer's session workflow)
Amp Settings
gain0
bass5
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Notes
Studio recording, 2015. John Mayer played the solo as a session guitarist. Multiple sources confirm Mayer's involvement and his tendency to use a stripped-down, amp-less setup for pop sessions. No evidence of live amp or pedalboard use for this solo.
Tone Character(10)
warm and roundedcrisp and articulateintimate and close-mic'dpercussive fingerstyle attackminimal sustainno audible overdrivesubtle room ambiencedynamic and expressivepop/acoustic crossover feelclear single-coil presence
Difficulty
The solo is technically simple but requires clean fingerstyle technique, dynamic control, and precision to maintain the exposed, intimate tone.
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Create Free AccountGuitarother2010s+
Original Gear
GuitarFender Stratocaster (likely John Mayer's signature or similar, single-coil pickups)
AmpDirect input (DI) or amp sim (John Mayer session rig, likely no physical amp used; possibly Akai MPC or amp/cab sim plugin as per Mayer's session workflow)
Amp Settings
gain0
bass5
Create an account to see all tone details
Create Free AccountEffects & Signal Chain
Notes
Studio recording, 2015. John Mayer played the solo as a session guitarist. Multiple sources confirm Mayer's involvement and his tendency to use a stripped-down, amp-less setup for pop sessions. No evidence of live amp or pedalboard use for this solo.
Tone Character(10)
warm and roundedcrisp and articulateintimate and close-mic'dpercussive fingerstyle attackminimal sustainno audible overdrivesubtle room ambiencedynamic and expressivepop/acoustic crossover feelclear single-coil presence
Difficulty
The solo is technically simple but requires clean fingerstyle technique, dynamic control, and precision to maintain the exposed, intimate tone.