John Mayer's 2024 Dead and Co Tone

[@Loosebonesmusic]

Sounds great man, great playing also! I was at a Sphere show and to me the guitar tone sounds like one amp for sure and i would put my money on the Dumble overdrive 50, which before was going into a single 1x12 EV 12l. Probably the best tone i have ever heard live. I did notice a couple things different from seeing and hearing the 2023 tour live and that was there was now zero hum or buzz from his rig at the sphere and the Dead spec with a boost pedal or TS10 will give some buzz, especially at the volume you need to make the tone work. This was dead quiet at the sphere. Also i noticed it was much more rounded with compression, like you said "on the edge". I can get the same sound with my Dead Spec and Dirty wonderland 50 which is similar to a early Dumble's tone stack. Took me a bit to get the settings right but it sure is an incredible sound ounce you find it. It also is a small sound that sits in the mix with a lot going on around it so it can't take up too much room. It's kind of like a bird playing a flute. He does have three amps on stage and probably tweaking all three to make that sound. I wish John would do a Sphere rig rundown! Love the videos, always learn something new!

[@GabrielBergman95]

Great insight! Glad you enjoyed the video!!

[@ClayAllred]

I do the that same type of setup: Custom hardtail Strat I built ('57 pups), EP boost (on very low), through my deadhead pedalboard, then into my Deluxe or my '74 Twin. It's such a great way to go for early Jerry/current John tones. I really love it. One big difference, is I always have TONS of headroom, cause with my set up, the envelope filter sounds way better if you're not on the edge of breakup. So, all my drive comes from pedals (like Maxon OD820). Thanks for your videos, I always love them.

[@GabrielBergman95]

Oh yeah, the headroom is key too ! Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@jasonevans9360]

Thank you for this! I love that gold PRS. I have the pink one and the grey one...but the gold POPS! This lesson is much needed. I struggle with my tone despite having all the right tools at my disposal. Ugh. I miss our lessons! Hope all is well!

[@GabrielBergman95]

Hope you’re well Jason! Let’s do a zoom soon!!

[@CatfishCheese]

for myself, having a 57 Fender twin amp. i can get just about any tone needed. from Dead to ZZ Top. its the secret to the sauce. great video 👊

[@GabrielBergman95]

That’s a good amp!

[@zachsears5719]

great video...I think a lot of the tone you're not mentioning is your feel...you got it goin on man!

[@GabrielBergman95]

I appreciate that!

[@stirlinghowe]

Sounds amazing! I’m struggling to shave off some ice-picky top end while dialing in the treble. If I go too far in the other direction and don’t put enough treble, I lose the “crunchiness” in the sound. I’m determined to make this work without a tube amp, but I might not achieve that fullness without one…

[@GabrielBergman95]

Yeah, you want treble but not ice picky. Using a software might be a bit for tricky!

[@mikem668]

Thanks. I actually prefer your tone to any of the sounds on the videos I've heard coming out of the Sphere. I've been swapping a Silver Sky with a "Pseudo Eagle" (A semi-hollowbody $800 PRS with a blaster, coil taps, and other pickups that Sweetwater modded for me) and a Dead Spec I was lucky enough to get on the waiting list for. Each have their virtues - meaning they make me recall certain tones in Dead history (I prefer 77, but I have a pretty decent ear for guessing the approximate year of the live stuff) - and you can probably get more or less similar tones with EQ and other settings on all three. But... I've got so many Garcia and Mayer tones in my head, I often give up and just go with what I found that session. Which makes sense if we don’t have a good reference tone. I might try an A / B test using the Dead Spec with the blaster, then turn it off and use the RC pedal. If I do, I'll get back to you. Thanks again.

[@GabrielBergman95]

Thanks man, remember they are both clean tones! Don’t overthink!

[@mikem668]

@@GabrielBergman95 Unfortunately the combinatoric explosion of guitar, pedal chain, amp with my personal intellectual style of noticing differences and trying to understand them makes it unlikely that I will be able to take your wise advice. My current favorite quote about music comes from Lester Young. He said musicians were both scientists and philosophers. The last is one reason I like John Mayer. And from Hendrix to Dumble to Eric Johnson there's plenty of scientists. But I'll try.

[@GabrielBergman95]

I get that!! Great comment!

[@GazziAmplification]

Awesome stuff Gabe!

[@GabrielBergman95]

Thanks Rafael!

[@mantashaft]

I managed to get to one Sphere show thank God!!! June 6th 🎉

[@GabrielBergman95]

Ohh amazing!!

[@reedmcgraw664]

Any tips for utilizing tone knobs on Silver Sky for chasing this tone? Do you typically just leave on 10?

[@GabrielBergman95]

For these examples they were on 10, but I usually keep them around 7-8

[@gschneider77]

I noticed the bit more mid range and edge of breakup tone to the sphere shows. As the speakers and amps are not being used (as far as I know) I think they are going direct into the house with a modeler. But it may be a combo of both.

[@kevinborchers3522]

The amps are in the crates in the back miced up

[@GabrielBergman95]

I think John’s is bit more broken up. Like the comment mentioned, no amp sims , he’s running the amps into a isolation system in the back

[@gschneider77]

I know he uses an FM9 at some solo shows and the Sphere is all about sound control so it would be interesting to see if he has it in the mix. It's what I've been led to believe by some people,but honestly don't have first hand knowledge. Just sounded very controlled when I was there.

[@MrYatesj1]

Great Work,

[@GabrielBergman95]

Thanks a lot!

[@johnheueisenIII]

Gabriel what do you do for a living?

[@angelrosas1644]

whats the first song?

[@anonymouslyominous3]

More gain please