One Of The Most Important Concepts Behind Mayer's Legendary Tone... Gain Stacking

In todays episode we discuss how John gain stacks to create the massive lead sound that we all are mesmerized by! This video focuses specifically on the Keeley Katana, Klon Centaur, and the Ibanez TS10!
I believe all content used falls under the remits of Fair Use, but if any content owners would like to dispute this I will not hesitate to immediately credit said content or come to a mutually agreed upon decision. It is not my intent in anyway to infringe on content ownership.
All content on my channel expresses the views and opinions of myself and myself alone. All topics and discussion are intended for entertainment and educational purposes. I encourage my viewers to make their own informed opinions.

[@jeremyjoris7468]

Really glad you've started playing examples in your videos lately. I know it's difficult and intimidating but really, I don't need a complete and accurate cover to understand what you want to convey. These little examples are perfect and take your channel to another level. Take care, Justin!

[@JustinJeske]

Thanks Jeremy! Yeah I'll never claim to play it the best or 100% bang on, as long as you guys can understand what I'm trying to show then my goal is achieved! Appreciate you recognizing that 🙏🏻

[@ekainalonso3121]

totally agree

[@rbw7556]

@@JustinJeske hey no disrespect intended, but I'm really curious how you got all the pedals/financed such a big investment into his sound and all without first like, totally learning the songs (since tone is supposed to be in the fingers, and money?)

[@TeleTonemonkey]

@@rbw7556 how he paid for the pedals without learning the songs? WTF? 😂 if you play live, you know. My live stack is Tumnus > Zendrive> Steel String Singer …. So Klon > TS/Dumble > boost/Dumble … different but flexible …. Rigs put you in the ballpark … he’s not claiming to be JM, but showing people how stacking works.

[@ibsenrodriguez7296]

Gain stacking is a very simple concept just run a compressor into an overdrive into a distortion then into a fuzz then into a boss metal zone and boom you get sparkly strat cleans 👍🏻

[@willtrimble7214]

Nahhhhh no no

[@phunkyjunkee]

1st, if you are running fuzz, you want it as close to your guitar as possible…. And if it’s me, I run the compressor after the overdrives, but a boost after the compressor just before the amp. Mmmm

[@blanejohnson9045]

Boom🎉. 😅😅😅

[@Spaghetti_policy]

Hahaha

[@rmaxtpmx]

​@@phunkyjunkeeyou didn't get that this was a joke? Getting a clean tube from stacking all that dirt wasn't a clue?

[@mickkraviz]

Congrats to the channel‘s success, good work Justin! Keep up the good work, we love it. :)

[@christopherhansford6876]

I’d be interested in how the Klon+TS10 compares to the BB+BD2 combination. Maybe another video? Great job on this one.

[@AL_KING777]

BB/Klon is the way. Its louder/fatter than TS anything from what I’ve experienced.

[@mattz1686]

Your passion for John Mayer is how I feel about David Gilmour

[@aayandadan9340]

you don't get enough views and subscribers for the quality of videos you make, I sincerely hope your channel blows up, the amount of effort put into these videos and the attention to detail is amazing !

[@JustinJeske]

Thank you so much!! It's done way better than I could have expected and am so grateful for all of your guys support! 🙏🏻

[@coryburns13]

No man, thank YOU!!! I always look forward to your vids. Keep it up!

[@JustinJeske]

Cheers Cory 🙏🏻

[@alexanderroy5713]

Great playing bro, don’t let anyone ruin your vibe. What you have going is great. Love the videos!

[@roscius6204]

My Bluesbreaker has had many friends over the last 33 years. An SD1 and a CS3.... for a long time. 2B Boost, a Tim and a Cali76. These days the 2B and Cali + a Riverside and a Compadre...... It's at the heart of most of my sounds.

[@RichTones]

Nice job explaining your setup and JM gear! Congrats on the success of your channel, I know how much work goes into it as I try to grow a small guitar channel as well. Hope you’re loving the Klon.

[@JustinJeske]

Thank you Rich!! It's a lot of work but doesn't feel like it cause I'm doing what I love!! Cheers and best of luck with yours, I'll check it out!

[@Harry20000Hl]

Have you got any plans to cover John’s dead and company rig/tones for 2021? I know you did a video of it towards the start of the tour but now it’s pretty much wrapped up it would be cool to see you cover the gear and have a crack at some of the tones especially now he’s started using the silver sky

[@rodrigopolicarpo8377]

+1

[@JustinJeske]

100% it's in the works! Just want to grab like a Super Clean and a few other things to breakdown some tones! D&C isn't really in my wheelhouse but I'm working on getting there lol

[@Harry20000Hl]

@@JustinJeske Sweet glad to hear it, also loved the video on gain stacking! Forgot to say that in my original comment but your video is seriously making me consider getting a Ceriatone Centura to go through my TS 808 to see if I can get something similar.

[@JustinJeske]

@@Harry20000Hl Thanks so much dude! Also check out the J. Rockett Archer, and Nordvang Custom No. 1, those are amazing clones too! (imo better sonically than the Ceriatone)

[@alexanderroy5713]

Can’t wait for a Katana mini compare vid!

[@MaxPower-js1sk]

You have a great sound. I’ve never seen you before, but our pedalboards and tone are almost identical. I’ve never heard John Mayer’s music. Great info, thanks. Max 😁👍

[@jhofereleria001]

Helpful and great content as always, brother!! More power to you and your channel!

[@JustinJeske]

Cheers Jhofer 🙏🏻

[@clgmafnas]

Some have said that when Mayer wants to "lighten" his board, he uses the ts-10 into the katana. That being said, my favorite tone from him was actually the blues jam he played at the 2004 Crossroads concert. One of the best strat tones I've heard

[@JustinJeske]

I have never seen him use the Ts10 into the Katana, that is totally wrong lol. 2004 Crossroads is brilliant!

[@user-zv7lm8uk7h]

@@JustinJeske He is always using the katana, with a MZ in the loop.

[@CityStarrzz]

Do you mean when he threw machine gun into city love?

[@clgmafnas]

@@CityStarrzz Yes... Its that magical line between sounding just clean enough that your notes have clarity, but just dirty enough to sustain. Awesome!

[@CityStarrzz]

@@clgmafnas I mean, I can’t say I’ve ever forgotten that solo… it is epic. “JJ johnson” proceeds to make magic happen.

[@mikem668]

Nice, thanks. Some hopefully constructive feedback. Mentioning the settings, without telling us or better showing us the settings is fairly annoying. In my limited experience, I've found the process confusing enough. You listen to KZbinrs, try and remember and then apply it to your own rig, screw up and look for more information. In a sense, I'm following you, given Mayer and the Dead are my pedalboard 101, with some Hendrix thrown in. The chain is Fulltone 69, Katana, Clarksdale (an 808 TS), Pantheon Deluxe, Aqua-Puss, and Verb O Trem. Three of the pedals were recommended by you. I like the EQ on the Clarksdale and don't have a TS 10. The 69 I bought when Fulltone announced they were going out of business, and I like the Bluesbreaker so I figured I'd try the Pantheon. Your video made me realize I should have put the Clarksdale after the Pantheon, though I swear I saw you reverse it. I also have the JRocket Klon clone, which I'd bought before I saw your video. Definitely will track down your other videos. But now I'm going to reverse the pedals and mess around. I have two Silver Sky's, one rosewood, one maple, a Silver Sky SE (hate the color, love the tone and playability, not the best workmanship), and what I call a Pseudo Eagle, a modded PRS mimicking JM's Super Eagle. So I'm a little crazy, but definitely a member of the JM fan club. Your site is a tremendous resource. No need to hide the ball.

[@filipematias2239]

There is a valuable lesson here: invest in guitar lessons before investing in pedals and gear! Thank you Justin! 🤘🤘

[@lancelucid7420]

Who cares, I know what you mean but maybe he’s just a guitar enthusiast, btw I would totally destroy the guy playing and I have been playing for 22 years and he gave really good information that i didn’t know… life is that crazy you can even learn stuff from 5 years old kids that knows how to use an app you have never messed with… and anyways you don’t have to be a guitar god to teach about tone!

[@adamrae6579]

Love it!! Would love a providence video!

[@PatrickLGuitar]

Really good Belief tone, thanks for this! That '07 crossroads performance of belief is still my favorite solo a decade and a half later.

[@Incacal71]

I stumbled on your channel becasue i was curious to know a little bit more about Mayer's tone. It really dawned on me how expensive it can get to try and get Mayer's tone and the only way to come REALLY close is to have his exact setup including amps, pedlas and guitar and that could cost a fortune. If you have any missing links then whats the point? I really don't think the need the exact equipment John uses to sound like John and I can guarantee you that the very few people that have his exact rig don't sound like him. The only way to sound like John is to PLAY like John. It's all in the FINGERS AND THE SOUL. I'd hate to see someone go out and spend thousands of dollars to get all his rig and still not sound like John. This is a big rabbit hole. Great stuff though Justin, you have a lot of useful info.

[@phunkyjunkee]

You absolutely don’t need the same exact gear to get close to his tone. His solo tone is really generic to my ears, idk why everyone is trying to copy it so much.

[@paulvanheuklom6439]

In the Katana > Klon > TS > chain, where would you place the Bluesbreaker? And for some Gary Moore sounds, where would you add the Guv'nor? I know, I know ... experiment, but I just wonder what your thoughts are for another perspective.

[@bredluvr6925]

katana>bluesbreaker>TS

[@seth3zlilherc1]

⁠​⁠​⁠@@bredluvr6925would you go katana>blues breaker> TS>Klon?

[@seth3zlilherc1]

⁠@@bredluvr6925would Katana>bluesbreaker> TS> Klon be too many?

[@dustinadair7893]

Right now that’s basically all I use is TS mini and a RYRA Klone for my gain in my rig. Before it I use an Exotic EP boost just to sweeten the amp and fatten up he tone I just always leave it in

[@chuckdriver8269]

The Xotic Effects EP booster into a Kelley Oxblood is my secret sauce. John’s tone is in his hands, not in a pedal. 🎸🇺🇸

[@hillelmusic]

Agreed. John could make a… let’s go with a Bad Monkey for random example… sound like Gold records. All in the fingers.

[@MarkKirbyMusic]

Great video, Justin! Congrats on 4K subscribers. Cheers!

[@JustinJeske]

Hey thanks so much Mark!! Cheers!!! 🍻

[@moustachio334]

Not related to John but my favorite pedal combo is a TS into a Rat turned down. Endless sustain and the filter on the Rat makes it simple to setup.

[@chendinsordiuken]

a video of the providence delays would be awesome! please do it

[@jsmmsj2520]

Here is one that will suprise you. A Rockman Distortion Generator into another Rockman Distortion Generator . Roars like a lion . Put an EQ pedal in front of these to dial in your sound . Plus any guitar with humbuckers ie Gibson The Paul .

[@afterjoe3042]

defo a providence video needed!

[@PaulYoung85]

Providence Delays video 👍

[@rodrigopolicarpo8377]

I would also enjoy a video on the D&C tour. I much prefer his tone with the Dead rather than his solo stuff. On this video: one issue I usually have with pedals (which is one of the reasons I stopped using them) is how gainy they are, even when the gain is all the way down. Most tones I enjoy listening to and playing are not very distorted and I noticed that even the cleanest OD pedals (e.g., klon) seem to have waaaay to much gain. And gain stacking just makes it more mushy and more compressed to my ears. Having said that, you did sound very good in this video - very similar to the comparison videos

[@b_m3998]

What are you running into those?? I used to use a Klon clone as an always on at church. Just added a tiny bit of crunch

[@jsmmsj2520]

TC Spark Boost into a Echoplex Preamp pedal . This sound into a TC Flashback ( tape echo setting) run into another TC Flashback ( mod echo setting )

[@huynhngocnamgiang]

Congrats on the 4k subs!!

[@JustinJeske]

Thanks so much!!! 🙏🏻

[@robertlevasseur8896]

At 2:50 is that the clean tone or the klon tone? Drives me crazy when people show OD vids and aren't clear on the clean tone.

[@erikhartley2494]

What would you say is the main stacked combo for the riff of Who Did You Think I Was?

[@danielhsu941]

Awesome video, thanks Justin! Could you break down the Gravity tone of WTLI tour? That’s probably my all time favorite tome especially the outro solo part. Thanks in advance!

[@JustinJeske]

For sure Daniel! Just need to get a Blues Breaker and a few other things to be able to show the WTLI rig!

[@leemjohn1]

@@JustinJeskejohn used katana in wtli album??

[@JonKaneshiroGuitar]

Yeah boi! Love it.

[@seth3zlilherc1]

Is katana>blues breaker> TS> Klon too many boosts?

[@marcusthemonkey]

Hey would he usually have one of the pedals on and then just flip the other one for lead? Or does he hit both usually for lead? Curious if the klon is always on or something.

[@benink5690]

Keep it up!

[@JoeyVaracalli]

Do you have a video on the old setup with the ts808 and keely modded boss? I have those pedals and I’m having a hard time on the settings

[@user-mh5pi7vn4e]

No offence, but listening to you play I feel like you'd be better off focusing on your technique rather than on the various tone possibilities. After all, when it comes to tone the most crucial gear is your hands and your head. Cheers!

[@qddk9545]

Do you think you came close to the John Mayer tone here ??

[@Snek03]

Does John play in position 4 or 5 of the neck pickups for his leads?

[@bredluvr6925]

5th position! neck PU!:)

[@terrytripp4545]

How do you use a bluesbreaker in this situation?

[@AlexColeti]

Nowadays I have been using ts10 into klon! Tone for days!

[@adamisrael]

Guess I need a ts808, Mom isn't gonna be happy about this

[@pablocacaster]

i just would like to add that gain stacking can be achieved with a soldano, also used by mayer just stack gains

[@JustinJeske]

It could be used like that, but John doesn't use it that way. The SLO-100 was used for the recording in the studio on the solo for LTH which is a totally different sound in general compared to how he gets his live lead sound. You wouldn't get the same desired effect using an SLO and stacking gains if you want to do the main Mayer thing

[@robertlevasseur8896]

@@JustinJeske I don't know about that. The SLO on channel 1 crunch setting would do the trick with the "normal" volume pretty low.

[@B_rendan_G]

You mentioned in another video Mayer is using 10.5 gauge strings on his Silver Sky but I don’t see that anywhere. Can you share where you heard this?

[@JustinJeske]

Ernie Ball posted that on their Instagram story long ago!

[@B_rendan_G]

@@JustinJeske Thanks so much for the reply and for all you do for the JM community!

[@charlesrhodes9895]

Your lead is the vocal melody from ode to the Mets (the strokes)

[@space_cowboythecosmicbandi2935]

need some advice from the gearheads and @justin. Thinking of buying a keepsake amp for my music room. Trying to decide between a fender dual professional, milkman or possibly a different vintage fender model. Would love some input from ya'll. I am not a gigging musician, this is purely for my music room in my house. I can play pretty loud without issue. Would love ya'lls thoughts. If it's a different model, let me know which to check out! I like a cleaner, warmer tone and use minimal pedals.

[@jacksonwadsworth6593]

Bro get the blonde tonemaster deluxe reverb. It sounds amazing and if you want more grit you have the attenuater that you can turn down and turning the volume brings out a nice break up. Check some videos out.

[@rodrigopolicarpo8377]

I would say a Dumble Clone. Overdrive Special or Steel String Singer. But only if you can push the thing because they really need to breathe to sound their best. It's a visceral experience, playing one those amps through a 2x12. I prefer the ODS because it gives a little bit, the SSS is much more "in your face" and hardly backs out as you push the volume, which makes it pretty unforgiving. But I play mostly clean with the ODS and just add the FET circuit within the amp when I want a little bit more. I stopped using pedals ever since I got it. Also, decide on what EQ curve you want. The ODS is more mid focused, whereas the SSS is more mid scooped. But I'd say that, for what you want, those would be the ones

[@JustinJeske]

Honestly you can't really go wrong with a Dual Pro, Milkman, or anything else you are considering. The tones and play-style of yours will be the biggest factor. Something like a TR CRS can do it all, JM and more!

[@mikiegallagher6742]

Hey I have MXR Dyna Comp , Ts Mini , Mooer Blues Crab(Bluesbreaker Copy) and Mesa Flux Drive .What Chain do you recommended thank !!

[@stirlinghowe]

If you’re trying to get John’s chain, I’d go MXR (as clean of a boost as possible) -> BB -> TS -> Mesa

[@armurano5093]

What about the extra noise...is Mayer using something to tamp it back down? Mine is sounding really hissy and string noise for days!

[@stringtheoryguitars4952]

No because hush units completely destroy the original tone. Many buildings have electrical issues you have to live with unless you bring a power filtration system. You can use copper shielding tape inside the pickup cavity although it affects the sound a little bit. Make sure to turn off all fluorescent lights, microwaves etc. Of course always turn the guitar to face north/south whenever possible to reduce hum. Keep in mind, sitting too close to the amp or pedalboard causes tons of noise due to the transformer's magnetic field. But most importantly, learn to ride the guitar's vol knob and roll it completely off when not playing a note.

[@ZombieLincoln666]

@@stringtheoryguitars4952I’m sure he’s using a very good power conditioner

[@KazuyaST]

would a marshall blues breaker bb2 to TS type pedal be a good combo for slow dancing and gravity tone in his live in LA concert? thanks

[@NewHopeAudio]

You want a blues breaker 1 style pedal. A used JHS morning glory is a good option.

[@KazuyaST]

@@NewHopeAudio i bought a bb 2

[@josephturnner6390]

When you stack you only want to stack your overdrive pedal with a booster. For example the vertex steel string with the cantina booster You don't want to be stacking two overdrives together.When you stack a booster with a clean drive it makes it a rich sound, silky smooth, overdrive.Two overdrives together usually doesn't do it. It better to use one or the other.Its about stacking boost, pedels,and compression pedels at the same time.Than mabey adding a third pedal like a overdrive.

[@JustinJeske]

So you’re saying John Mayer is gain stacking wrong then?

[@HazimKamarulZaman]

Stacking ODs together or OD and distortion is quite common man. TS style pedal into Klon type pedal or the other way around is very very common. TS into high gain pedals is also common. Why? Because guitarists get good tones out those combinations. For booster: booster before OD = more gain. Booster after OD = more volume.

[@shahiransafian]

do a providence delay settings video!

[@straightmanforever69]

What songs does john use a flux drive?

[@jonathanpappas151]

Did John have a klon for WTLI? I want to get a third OD pedal for gain stacking to get an accurate versatile JM tone. I already have the Tube screamer and katana covered. I’m deciding weather to get a klon clone, blues breaker clone, etc. I am going for the WTLI lead tone. (Slow dancing, gravity, belief, etc.). Would you recommend a nordvang gravity? Or do you think buying the individual pedals is the way to go? Any insight would be greatly appreciated

[@JustinJeske]

No Klon on WTLI! A BluesBreaker circuit is a must for that sound!!

[@jonathanpappas151]

Do you know what pedal combos he used for belief solo and I don’t trust myself solo?

[@JustinJeske]

Are you talking about like from WTLI? Or now? Cause it depends!

[@jonathanpappas151]

@@JustinJeske where the light is

[@JustinJeske]

@@jonathanpappas151 The drives for that would be Blues Breaker Mk1 into TS10. Add a Katana at the start for even more boost! Belief did have the V1 Micro Synth as well though for that second solo!

[@jonathanpappas151]

Do you know what combination is used on the live slow dancing solo in LA?

[@JustinJeske]

Katana -> BBMk1 -> TS10 😎

[@jonathanpappas151]

@@JustinJeske Thanks, that’s my favorite JM solo ever

[@jonathanpappas151]

@@JustinJeske do you think a nordvang gravity could accomplish the WTLI tone?

[@Zoso7227]

This is equivalent to the Krabby Patty formula 🍔

[@Funk11147]

What size u wearing in the sob rock hoody?

[@JustinJeske]

I'm a Large!

[@paulrusinko666]

Is John Mayer really a thing?

[@almostliterally593]

I stack 3 dirt pedals on Bass

[@slipkhein66]

What about all of that noise ? John never has it

[@aashisheapen8230]

You really need to learn how John plays, how he does his vibrato and moves from note to note before you go out and replicate John's pedal board

[@JustinJeske]

You realize this video isn’t about how to play like him but showing the concept of gain stacking, right?

[@tylermiller1474]

6:37 your welcome

[@seanflynn7840]

For D&C - does he go TS into Klon or Klon into TS?

[@JustinJeske]

He does both! The past bit he has been favouring TS into Klon though!

[@aidanfritchman9976]

4:00

[@Pooch1069]

The Victoria Reverberato is, bar-none, the most important part of all of John Mayer's rigs.

[@JustinJeske]

Can't wait to get one!!

[@hosoiarchives4858]

Why would anyone want to sound like him

[@GustavoPzb]

Tell me 5 John Mayer's good musics, please.

[@tagacale1733]

i never liked john's tone. love the songs though

[@phunkyjunkee]

Mayer’s tone is just meh imo. If you want to study gain stacking and some sweet unique tone, take a look at Trey Anastasio’s rig…

[@gbergman95]

First!

[@afterjoe3042]

First.2!

[@foggyblues13]

@@afterjoe3042 you need to change your name to AfterGabby

[@JustinJeske]

@foggyblues13 😂

[@Ralymusic]

The solo of new light….come on you can do better !!

[@ericleach2504]

Lame comment

[@josiahgtr]

He’s more of a gear enthusiast than player

[@JustinJeske]

Sorry to disappoint…

[@JustinJeske]

Yeah, no. I don’t buy all this shit cause I’m mainly a “gear enthusiast”. 😂🤦🏻‍♂️

[@Chilinoploppy]

@@josiahgtr that's 💯

[@underfilmsalejandroardila]

Talks a lot… 😣

[@josephturnner6390]

What would you all do without pedels. A good musician has nothing to do with stacking pedels..His guitar in hand and a amp to see what he or she can do. Sense when did people start thinking a real musician was supposed to be a musician and a engineer at the same time.Leave the mixing to a engineer.The beauty of making music is to play music. You don't work the piano or work the guitar, you play the piano you play the guitar.Todays modern day world is so thin with talent that they make these pedals to try and compensate for the lack of talent in today's music that is sweeping the world like a plague.. Society has made music some math of mixing pedals.Thats little boy stuff....making music out to be a effects board. Music has nothing to do with the modern day world because you are escaping what music is.