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

John Mayer · 2000s · blues

studio

Original Recording

Guitar
2004 Fender Custom Shop Stratocaster (John Mayer Signature prototype, alder body, maple neck, rosewood fretboard)
Pickups
Custom-wound 'Big Dipper' single-coil pickups (slightly scooped mids, low output)
Amp
Two-Rock Custom Reverb Signature (early 2000s, 100W head, 2x12 cab, clean channel)
Pickup Position
Neck pickup

Studio recording, Continuum album (2006). Mayer used his Custom Shop Strat with Big Dipper pickups and a Two-Rock Custom Reverb Signature amp for the main riff section. No evidence of Klon or TS9 on the riff (those are for solos).

Amp Settings

Mids
5.5
Bass
6.5
Gain
3
Reverb
4.5
Treble
6.5
Presence
5.5

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Tone Character

  • warm and smooth
  • touch-sensitive
  • slightly scooped mids
  • sparkling highs
  • dynamic and percussive
  • clear, bell-like Strat character
  • smooth sustain
  • edge-of-breakup when played hard
  • not compressed or overdriven
  • classic blues Strat rhythm

Notes & Caveats

  • ⚠️No direct studio amp knob settings found; settings estimated based on forum consensus for Two-Rock/Strat blues tones and Mayer's own comments.
  • ⚠️Pedal use for riff section is not confirmed; overdrive pedals (TS9, Klon) are used for solos, not main riff.
  • ⚠️Some sources reference live rigs or other songs; only gear with clear evidence for studio riff section included.
  • ⚠️Exact reverb type not specified, but Two-Rock Custom Reverb has spring reverb; level estimated from typical Mayer tones.
  • ⚠️Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. John Mayer's 'Gravity' riff is known for its warm, round, edge-of-breakup tone, likely achieved with a Two-Rock or Dumble-style amp set clean with a touch of breakup, boosted mids for vocal quality, strong bass for fullness, and moderate treble/presence to avoid harshness. Moderate reverb adds space without washing out the clarity.

Sources