John Mayer Isn't Much of a Gear-Head Anymore

"I moved my fun from the gear to what it is I want to write."
Source: Masterclass with Eric Harland. Crowdcast. 22/06/2020.

[@fossilmatic]

I will certainly be more Zen about things once I have that 59 burst.

[@rob879]

and a dumble steel string singer

[@001USA001]

Martin D28

[@cafuune]

i feel you, i just need that ibanez az2204 and i can do all of this stuff i swear.

[@diego9000]

😂😂😁

[@MisterRorschach90]

@@001USA001 oh anyone can buy that compared to the other things mentioned here. One is 3k and the others are over 250k. Lol

[@RaulSanchez777]

“I’ve tried to stop playing the guitar and start playing music on the guitar.” Love it

[@14djfunk]

My goal is to be proficient enough that my ability doesn't hinder what I'm trying to say

[@aligrundy812]

The dream

[@pepperjanehq]

oh now that is apt.

[@wesleyheath2639]

So true and said perfectly!

[@matofisher8457]

That last bit is a master class level sentiment.

[@aeg_music]

Well, 5 Dumbles are enough.

[@OrigenisAdamantios]

"When I’m playing a guitar, the last thing I want to think about is playing a guitar. To some, that might sound strange. To me, that’s perfection. I’ve always tried to connect with an instrument to the point where the only thing standing between the music in my head and the outside world is my ability to perform it. With this guitar, I’ve found the instrument to help me achieve that. This is the result of more than half my life playing and pursuing music." -Nick Johnston

[@joebaby555]

Johns freestyle soloing in Dead and Company is Legendary..catch him this summer live if you can..its truly amazing.. his tone and ability to play effortlessly at all tempos is just incredible to see and hear.🎸🔥

[@jessh6480]

Incidentally, I stood near a guy who made butternut squash Mac n cheese for Trader Joe's at a Dead & Co. Show 😁 magical space to share.

[@freto_cognito9001]

Yes. He is absolutely right. The truth is, most people have the guitar playing them, instead of them playing the guitar. The key is you play the music, and only the music. It just so happens to be you're playing a guitar. It is a subtle difference, but it is absolutely essential!

[@BOBANDVEG]

Hes just come full circle with his music.

[@SynoJi]

It's so reassuring to hear that from John Mayer himself, it gives me confidence. I've always played guitar and considered it as my own voice. But I finally mustered the courage to sing, and whenever I write music. The guitar is something I use to create and play the music now instead of just playing and using it for the sake of playing guitar. Thank you John 🙏

[@Brkld1867]

"Just write it in the acoustic guitar.. No tricks" is John picking up a $3000 Martin guitar XD

[@daviscrispo1814]

More like 10k

[@h.markhorton8188]

I hear he’s gonna play only “First Act” guitars from now on. And work as a greeter at Walmart. Just keepin it real with the Common Man. (See: Todd Rundgren, “Love of the Common Man.”)

[@MisterRorschach90]

It’s hilarious you think he uses a 3k Martin. The cheap version of his signature Martin is 4k. His normal signature Martin is like 10-12k. The Martin that he actually plays is probably considerably more than that because it’s some special vintage one or an actual high end custom shop that was probably given to him. Haha

[@jumpwithjo]

@@h.markhorton8188 damn that’s funny😂😂😂. I get it😂😂

[@oxsila]

And that's why John Mayer and people like him like Clapton are the only Guitarists I can listen to. They make memorable solos that are almost like singing instead of just trying to shred every second of the song.

[@firstnamelastname7473]

“Those are the players that keep their eyes closed for an hour and a half”

[@paulsmith6090]

You got a whole channel just for thoughts - how dope is that!!!!! 🔥

[@edmorris6588]

Connecting to the source 🙏🙏🙏. Is the truth!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@user-wf4nl2yy8x]

The thing beyond the guitar is called the state of flow. It's when the doer stops striving toward something. Trying to prove something. You don't play no music. The music plays through you.

[@JAMESBo-cm1vi]

Or “the space”

[@TylerBoone]

It’s true, eventually things get more simple

[@nekkon1989]

Dude in the middle is a true contributor to the talk

[@Simonewhitesim-1music]

@Matrick He know's

[@jonlohrenz5446]

He knows when to stay out the way.

[@ifoundthistoday]

he's got more neck then John and Eric put together

[@baybae92]

Legit thought it was a picture for a minute.

[@nathanielvargas3863]

@Matrick have you ever gotten too high before a zoom work meeting? Those are the vibes I’m getting

[@tdz69]

John is brilliant. A brilliant player and an equally brilliant teacher. He has been selfless on social media sharing wisdom that takes a lifetime to experience. I wouldn’t be surprised if one day he takes up teaching a songwriting class at Berklee. He’s a real gift to music as a whole.

[@donkkong5551]

True! We do tend to let new gear inspire us and then the novelty quickly wears off... I wish UPS would deliver me a box of Discipline, Good stuff! I mean great Interview or Video, Thanks!

[@morganghetti]

Lol OK. Just plays one of his 400 guitars through his vintage pedals and 100k amp.

[@NewHopeAudio]

To be fair this thought is applicable whether someone is playing a Walmart first act or a 1959 Fender Strat.

[@leovfl]

true

[@kjguitarman]

So you’re saying if you had all of his gear, you could play and sound like John Mayer? In the words of Jerry Seinfeld, (laughing) “I d o n ‘ t t h I n k s o…”

[@rob879]

@@kjguitarman he never said that

[@ThePinkguns]

@@kjguitarman would like to know how you got to that conclusion

[@maryjo3550]

That feeling is like dancing!

[@imacmadman22]

The guitar is the tool to the musician as the brush is to the painter. It is a means to an end.

[@shaynegreen]

I so relate to this right now.

[@deaconddd]

Finding the right gear is like finding the right pet. Sometimes you find the right pet and some times it finds you. You might not have the perfect pet but it’s yours and your experience with it is uniquely yours. Your a lucky soul to only have one that lasts a lifetime and becomes your best friend.

[@Alex-cu1cx]

Nothing is more relatable than when John said his hobby this year has been getting packages from UPS.

[@eocha24]

Great player with average gear will allways sound better than mediocre player with best gear

[@dannyturner6458]

Saying that, it's probably actually tougher to have it all, and still aim for sincerity and simplicity by stripping back.....and not relying on what you know you have ready.

[@DANYALLAYNAD]

Wanting is something to work towards. It’s motivation. If you have everything I can’t imagine where I’d pull that same inspiration from

[@lokalaw]

That is why he is a Master

[@kilgoretrout321]

What great old stuff is left if Bonomassa is going to buy it all up?

[@gwwilkerson]

I’ve been saying this!!!!

[@VonBluesman]

There are so many more collectors that buy up old guitars, amps, pedals, etc. that you don’t even hear about. Check out the private auctions and the public ones like Christy’s, Juliens, etc. A lot of celebrities use these auction sites to sell their gear. As far as Joe Bonamassa goes, call his mother, she has already told Norm not to sell him anymore guitars, true story, next time she sees Norm, she just might open a can of that Ole Italian Whip A__s on Norm to get her point across. LOL 😂 🥊😂👍🎸✌️😎

[@VonBluesman]

@Richard Moore Start expanding your horizons, Billy Gibbons has so many guitars stored in a warehouse around Houston, TX. He said he has lost count but it is a bunch, a whole lot, too many to remember, he stated that in his last interview and has said it several times. Look up the article that Vintage Guitar did about over $2 million worth of vintage guitars and musical equipment stolen from a storage unit at Marina Del Rey, CA. Dallas, TX has a auction site that deals in guitars you won’t see unless you are searching for them, a lot of these buyers and sellers stay under the radar to try and keep their private dealings private as much as possible so the world doesn’t start complaining about what they own or try to steal their collection. There are collectors a lot richer than Joe Bonamassa that have way more than he has, he has shown his collection to the world several times with a latest interview in Nashville several months ago. The museums that are open to the public would blow your mind if you saw some of the guitars they have.

[@ryanjohnson985]

The worst are the buyers who don't play them. They are simply investments.

[@VonBluesman]

@@ryanjohnson985 There was a article in 2008 during the last big stock market crash that said buying old vintage guitars and custom shop guitars was a great investment and more secure than stocks at the time. A lot of people bought up guitars on eBay back then and the prices really increased. There are two buyers/sellers in Japan that buy and they have the highest prices on resale for guitars and pedals on eBay. I have been using Reverb for a source for years. Some people complain about both companies. I call Fender when I buy that brand and give them the serial number and they tell me all the info, specs, stats, including the original store the guitar was shipped to, they said they get a lot of calls with people buying fake guitars when they later call and have the serial number checked out. The auction houses will guarantee authenticity but they make profit on both ends, off of the seller and off of the buyer, usually around 40% total added together, like highway robbery but most of the times those listings will never be on eBay or Reverb.

[@ArtyShat]

Yeah when my gear will worth millions I will also stop thinking about gear, no shit.

[@patrickedwards2158]

Absolutely well said😎👍

[@davidthomas3725]

I saw the title and thought..."yeah right".....

[@RefactoringRyan]

For anyone who might be resonating with what John is saying at the last minute of this video. I highly recommend you check out some talks by Victor Wooten on his book The Music Lesson.

[@jojo-fj7lw]

Do you have any link to the video that u meant?

[@evhoRoLL]

It’s the difference between taking a picture and truly capturing a subject. The difference between someone building a table and someone hand crafting a live edge dining room table out of red oak. There’s love in it. There’s vision. There’s art.

[@evhoRoLL]

A guitar can be used to play music or to create emotion. They are not the same.

[@josiahkharshiing4346]

this channel really went from 0 subs to 12k subs in 2 weeks man wow 💥

[@drheud1512]

Yes, buying gear because you think it makes you play better is kind of useless. However, if you want that new guitar because of whatever reason or you want to get that pedal you're dreaming of, go for it!!!! If you can afford it, just buy it. Who cares if you have 1, 10, 20 or 500 guitars. It only costs money. The enjoyment and the good times you get are priceless. Do whatever makes you happy man.

[@ianandy1234]

John you’ve bought all the gear! There’s none left for us to buy 😂

[@sarge7string232]

Yeah ...because he has it all ...

[@Project_2501]

John is a prepper.

[@vandyjoe621]

Survival pack 😂I was dying

[@natehaskey9300]

A lot of people missed the point here lol

[@john15333]

I feel like this comes with age. You spend your life acquiring stuff, then get to an age where you realize how little you actually need to be happy and create great music that means something. If you don't use it once a week, you don't need it. When this finally kicks in and I mean REALLY kicks in, you spend the next several years getting rid of the gear and stuff that you have collected and held on to for so long. If I was just smart enough to realize this at 30 years old, I would be a hell of better musician today. The gear and the stuff took away WAY too much time and effort. Its a path we all travel down, unfortunately. Great marketing is the only winner.

[@bens3767]

I totally get this spent a few years chasing down dram guitars once I finally got them they're pretty to look at but now I realize the few I really love. I have over 15 guitars acoustic electric/ bass and I need to sell them save for a few

[@mickkraviz]

John‘s such a normal guy (in terms of how I see him) and I love it.

[@bromidrosis3238]

I have a beautiful acoustic and that’s all that matters to me. I got an amp a few pedals and that’s all I really need. It’s all about playing man

[@Xirrious]

Mayer is philosophical as fuck and that’s why he is good

[@Roddo731]

I like it I like it I like it, the older I get the less into the gear I am… I’ve realized one thing that has been easy for me to do as a guitar player, have a lot of deer hide behind it and the reality of it is it doesn’t make you sound better… I mean a fine guitar certainly can inspire you and make you play better and of course there are some petals that can be inspirational but break it down to the core… Couple really nice Guitars and Amber to give you your tone I never drive in a delay pedal maybe a chorus what else do you need

[@mmatthewias280]

A lot of “thinking” going on here about “thinking” about playing guitar and how to “think” about things that pertain to the guitar and thoughts that arise from it… the guitar does this thing to us all where we “think” about it all the time, it’s an addiction that’s healthy for the most part.

[@danielcrescenzo354]

I think I'm going to theoretically pursue a Silver Sky, because it makes my strat seem incrementally mediocre.

[@BryWMac]

the guy in the middle looks like he's going to get some neck pain

[@jordanbrazinski8260]

Playin a guitar as a means to an end, not playing a guitar as the end itself.

[@lavoyragels5055]

Yes "audition the gear" ill be having open castings if y'all wanna send your pedals.

[@thomasroberts5363]

GRETA GARBO played parts --BUT DID NOT ACT - IT WAS HER ART - MAKING REALITY ON SCREEN.SHOWING LOVE - BY LIVING IT - BEING IT - COMPLETELY - MAKING IT CUM ALIVE -THE REALITY IT IS.SHE HAD SUCCESSFULLY GROWN COMPLETE - NEEDING NO LONGER TO TRY - TO THINK - HAVING BECOME SKILLFUL TO THE POINT WHERE SHE COULD ALLOW EVERYTHING TO FLOW - KNOWING IT COULD AND WOULD BE ABLE TO REVEAL ITSELF PERFECTLY.SHE WAS IN HARMONY - AT ONE - WILLINGLY THE TOOL - THE PERFECT PACKAGE - GROWING HERSELF EQUIPMENT FOR USE BY LOVE - TO FINALLY SHOW ITSELF RAW - TRUE - HONESTLY - TO THIS WORLD.SHE WAS ABLE TO SERVE.EGO - THE TOOL - THE PERFORMER - SOMEHOW LIVED- IN EVERY MOMENT - IN THE EMBRACE OF LOVE.SHE WAS AND YET WAS NOT.SHE was still the tool the music flowed from - that could forget itself ---and BE THE MUSIC - LOST TO IT - ONE WITH IT - NOTHING BUT--- COMPLETELY.THE PARADOX OF BEING COMPLETELY CONSCIOUS WHILE LOST TO THE UNCONSCIOUS.LOST IN THE SOURCE - AND WIDE AWAKE - KNOWING.ONE WITH LOVE - GOD.NOBODY EVER KNEW - UNDERSTOOD - could figure her out - calling her a mystery - a sphinx.IF YOU DON'T KNOW LOVE THAT'S WHAT YOU ARE LEFT WITH.AND THAT IS THE CONDITION OF THIS DIMENSION THAT THINKS IT KNOWS EVERYTHING.YOU are in the same boat as she was - THEY "love" YOU - in their own way ---BUT NEVER WILL GROW TO "know" YOU - WITH UNDERSTANDING.ONLY SOMEONE IN THE SAME SHOES CAN-----and that person only you can grow.

[@slickcross]

This is coming from a guy playing on a PRS guitar designed for him and Two Rock amps lol You gotta have the right gear to get inspired in my opinion.

[@hotman718]

Well he's John Mayer. Most of the guitars and gear he gets is most likely free from endorsements and sponsorships.

[@baksagimm5890]

He still sounds great on regular strat

[@joshuagoudie2849]

Regardless of his setup and you can still get a very similar tone for under a grand.

[@mwitter2003]

Mayer is one of the best players of our generation. He should have those like Kobe or Lebron have their own signature sneakers

[@MatiasGeraldoThe2nd]

Good points from on who loves to hear himself talk.

[@Nik-wo7hk]

Why the dude in the middle holding his head up so high

[@drizzlebizzlexl5605]

Why is the dude in the middle looking down toward the camera?? Wtf

[@GR_BackingTracks]

John Mayer's ideas: priceless. Guy in the middle's camera angle: Terrible

[@ueillevx5027]

John, are you gluten free? Love the t-shirt! Thanks for the insights.

[@elemonix4334]

Gear-heading is the biggest obstacle to creating music

[@harrycairns4915]

Love the haircut

[@ryanjohnson985]

What is behind John? Are those cassettes?

[@debbiegreen7051]

I love John warts and all.

[@Steve-si8hx]

The key is like anything else. You spend most of your time doing a thing, and you will perfect it at some point.

[@faautobahna9416]

What J Mayer says is correct, the approach one must have towards great art.

[@alanswanson7515]

Does JM play piano?

[@khalongkichu]

Yeah.

[@VonBluesman]

Si 👍🎸🎹🎹

[@drewburgess525]

Like the Beatles?

[@jnsaudio81]

Just when John mayer couldnt be anymore god like lol. What a master of his craft.

[@josephturner9012]

All of a sudden Mayer wakes up,and finds he has no money in his a account..He can't even by a cheeseburger.He can't make money playing music anymore,he just needs to injoy.

[@justinbutler3465]

Love this! JM is a genius!

[@pockettangerine1480]

it'd be dope to be comfortable enough to have "hobbies" lmao

[@darthnihilus4880]

Found a nice channel

[@matthewcofield6251]

So all the gear and talent in the world doesn’t satisfy… Who’d a thought.

[@picksalot1]

There are so many amazing guitar players these days, but what is often played seems more like an Olympic event, than a Musical happening. I'm impressed, but unmoved by what I hear.

[@georgedoss12.51]

Same...exactly my thoughts

[@samhaokip9126]

What's up with the dude in the middle?

[@freetime2freeminds]

Yes, he's had the opportunity to "try it all" and thus he can say "it isn't everything" so his view is valid but like others said, it's easy to say after the fact but not before. Considering he's been playing for decades, most of us might not even get to that point lol

[@shippenman5977]

My guitar don't know how to play. Need a new one.

[@DaxmaPrime]

If I had a badass PRS I wouldn’t need or want another guitar.

[@bens3767]

I have a T40e but I know what you mean badass ELECTRIC PRS... 😂

[@MegaNate831]

Guy in the middle looks high out of his mind

[@thomasroberts5363]

AND BOTHER YOU

[@famousdavemusic]

Must be great to be rich.

[@Tengbaenggipachadambe]

😍😍👌

[@ruudgeldermans]

How is Eric Clapton doing now? Can he ever play guitar again ?

[@oscardolan5626]

So his hobby is just spending money

[@Jona_The_Than_D]

In general, I’m one not to collect 100s of guitars. I’d collect maybe max 20, I’m more of a man of good pedals and amps

[@dannyturner6458]

Was gonna say the same thing as the top comment. It's like if you've worked hard enough and have enough money to buy every single pair of jordans, and then after 10 years of consumerism, you say......Im more about only having 10 pairs of 2000 dollars sneakers these days lol.

[@guitarlusteuphoria4507]

Easy to say when you can get any PRS you want for free. JM has a different PRS everytime I see him!!

[@oxsila]

All the more likely for John to have some knowledge past the artificialness then since he has had it all, he knows what it's like to not care about the guitar and more about just PLAYING.

[@thomasroberts5363]

putting together - BEING PUT TOGETHER ---- TIL IT"S RIGHT - I feel it.INVISIBLE - INTANGIBLE - YOU - CREATING A REALITY from the DARKNESS

[@Simonfreediving]

Some people dream to have 2 meals a day living on poor conditions when some create themself surviving pack when they are millionnaire and will never missing anything. I don't know what the fuck is going on my head, I am crazy?

[@Utubewrk123]

That’s all great but it’s still fun buying gear. I’m just down to pedals now and trying to stop that. But when I had one guitar and one amp starting out. Cheap gear, unplayable gear it was all about learning. But once you learn and you’ve gotten pretty good after yrs of playing as long as you don’t lose sight of playing and you don’t overdo it it’s just fun buying stuff. Tbh it started with utube and smartphones. That’s what started a lot of players #gas. Née gear sometimes inspires ruts but hey whatever. Luckily, JM doesn’t have a signature guitar or anything and he’s not into gear. John I understand what you’re saying but you still love gear. Nothing wrong with it. Just don’t keep buying $100,000 amps.

[@jfbass5748]

I could see his nose growing. I’ve said this so many times.

[@harriheinsoo]

3:10 Barney Kessel

[@AnthonyElsetinow]

JM sounds like he is talking about Eric Johnson

[@barryscottgoldman7385]

My thoughts, in the precise.

[@yaw8176]

does not help us epiphone starter pack users. Lol!

[@uMc81]

Joe Satriani - Day At The Beach (New Rays From An Ancient Sun) =] let me win it! \o/

[@m...6119]

Says the guy who endorses (and by extension, markets) PRS guitars.

[@noname-jr1vo]

When you're an artist and you've made enough money and now everything you say has to have some deep profound meaning.

[@ivywoodxrecords]

He sounds like Mac Miller kinda

[@albertplaysguitar]

A great song can hold it's own stripped down. Why not start there and THEN envision the production? Or, conversely, let the gear-fueled tones inspire you, and THEN strip it down to see if it still holds.🤔

[@isabellenanettegjerstad6395]

He never listen 🤬

[@Healcraft]

Easy for him to say when he has millions of dollars worth of gear lol. Most people can't get Paul Reed Smith to make you a guitar for 2 years so that you can have the perfect guitar that you no longer need to worry about

[@jamesandrews8157]

@@outtahereboi5276 Absolutely, John could come play all of our guitars and make them sound better than we do.

[@gnawbabygnaw]

Ya can’t buy sanity.

[@VonBluesman]

Very well said.