GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence
Vultures Riff Guitar Tone Settings — John Mayer
John Mayer · 2000s · blues
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Fender Stratocaster (likely 2004 John Mayer Signature Stratocaster)
Pickups
Fender Big Dipper single-coil pickups
Amp
Two-Rock Custom Reverb Signature (early 2000s model), possibly blended with Fender Vibroverb
Pickup Position
Position 2 (bridge + middle)
Studio recording, Continuum album (2006). Gear confirmed for this era and album, but no direct studio photo for 'Vultures' session. Most sources agree on Strat + Two-Rock for riff. No evidence of pedal use in riff section; overdrive comes from amp. Pickup selector in bridge/middle (Position 2) per player interviews and forum consensus.
Amp Settings
Mids6.5
Bass6.5
Gain3.5
Reverb3
Treble6
Presence5.5
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Tone Character
- percussive and funky
- edge-of-breakup clean
- bright and snappy attack
- warm and glassy
- touch-sensitive
- dynamic and responsive
- slightly compressed
- clear note separation
- minimal gain coloration
- articulate single-coil clarity
Notes & Caveats
- No direct studio photo or official rig rundown for 'Vultures' session; gear and settings inferred from multiple forum discussions, interviews, and era-correct live setups.
- No specific numeric amp settings found; values estimated based on typical Two-Rock/Strat blues settings and forum consensus.
- No evidence of pedal use in riff section; overdrive and breakup come from amp and picking dynamics.
- Pickup position (bridge + middle) is consensus from player interviews and forums, but not confirmed by Mayer himself for this exact recording.
- If more precise studio documentation emerges, settings may need revision.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Mayer's 'Vultures' riff tone is clean but with a touch of breakup, warm and mid-forward, typical of his Two-Rock or Dumble-style amps. The bass is full but not boomy, mids are prominent for clarity and punch, treble is smooth (not harsh), presence is neutral, and reverb is subtle for space without washing out the riff.