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Belief — John Mayer1 / 2
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Belief Riff Guitar Tone Settings — John Mayer

John Mayer · 2000s · blues

studio

Original Recording

Guitar
Fender Stratocaster (likely John Mayer Signature or 1964/1965 Stratocaster, as used on Continuum)
Pickups
Fender single-coil (Big Dipper single-coils on Mayer Signature, vintage-style single-coils on vintage Strat)
Amp
Two-Rock Custom Reverb (used on Continuum studio recording)
Pickup Position
Position 4 (neck + middle)

Studio recording, 2006 (Continuum album). Gear is specific to the studio version, not live. Mayer is widely documented to have used his Two-Rock Custom Reverb and Stratocaster with single-coil pickups for the main riff section. Pedal/effect info is drawn from both interviews and audible effects in the recording.

Amp Settings

Mids
6.5
Bass
6.5
Gain
3
Reverb
3.5
Treble
6.5
Presence
5.5

Effects Chain

  • Roger Linn AdrenaLinn III (envelope filter/auto-wah) · modulation
  • Ibanez TS808 Tube Screamer · overdrive
  • Compressor pedal (model unknown) · compression

Guitar → Compressor → Roger Linn AdrenaLinn III (envelope filter) → Ibanez TS808 Tube Screamer → Two-Rock Custom Reverb (with spring reverb)

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Tone Character

  • touch-sensitive edge-of-breakup
  • percussive and funky
  • warm low end
  • articulate single-coil snap
  • dynamic and responsive
  • slight envelope/quack effect
  • tight, compressed attack
  • subtle amp reverb depth
  • present but not harsh highs
  • groovy, syncopated rhythm

Notes & Caveats

  • ⚠️No official studio knob settings published; amp settings estimated based on typical Two-Rock/Strat tones and genre/era.
  • ⚠️Pedal/effect models inferred from interviews, Premier Guitar, and audible effects in the recording.
  • ⚠️Some sources reference live rigs or covers; only studio-era gear and effects included.
  • ⚠️Envelope filter effect is audible in the riff but exact pedal model is not confirmed for the studio recording.
  • ⚠️Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. John Mayer's 'Belief' riff uses a Strat into a Two-Rock or similar clean-ish amp, set just at the edge of breakup for touch sensitivity, with warm, forward mids, rounded highs, and moderate bass. The tone is dynamic, not overly bright, and has subtle reverb for space, matching Mayer's blues/pop style and gear from the 'Continuum' era.

Sources