How to Achieve a John Mayer "Neon" Tone

John Mayer is known for his soulful and expressive guitar playing, and his tone is a big part of what makes his music so distinctive. If you're looking to achieve a John Mayer tone, especially in his song "Neon," you'll need the right gear and a good understanding of how to use it.

The first piece of gear you'll need is a Fender Player Stratocaster guitar. This type of guitar has single-coil pickups that are great for achieving a bright and articulate sound, which is perfect for playing the kind of soulful and bluesy music that Mayer is known for. The Fender Player Stratocaster also has a comfortable neck profile and great build quality, which makes it a great choice for players of all levels.

The second piece of gear you'll need is a Fender Blues Junior amp. This is a great choice for achieving a clean and warm tone that works well with the Stratocaster. The Blues Junior is a relatively small amp, but it can get surprisingly loud and is perfect for both practice and small gigs.

To add some grit and distortion to your tone, you'll need an overdrive pedal like the Ibanez TS-808 Tube Screamer. This classic pedal is known for its warm and creamy overdrive sound that can be used to push the Blues Junior into overdrive. With the TS-808, you can get the kind of creamy overdrive sound that Mayer uses to great effect in "Neon."

Finally, to achieve the signature rotary speaker effect in "Neon," you'll need a modulation pedal like the Fulltone Deja Vibe. This pedal can provide the lush, swirling sound that simulates the sound of a rotary speaker, which is used in the song's solo and outro.

To use these pieces of gear to achieve a John Mayer "Neon" tone, start by plugging your Stratocaster into the TS-808, and then connect the output of the pedal to the input of the Blues Junior. Set the amp to a clean tone with a little bit of reverb, and use the TS-808 to push the amp into overdrive. Adjust the gain and tone controls on the pedal to achieve the desired level of overdrive and tonal character.

Finally, engage the Fulltone Deja Vibe to achieve the rotary speaker effect, and adjust the speed and depth controls to get the desired modulation sound. With these settings, you should be able to achieve a tone similar to John Mayer's in "Neon."

Remember, the gear you use is just one part of achieving a great tone. Developing your own unique playing style and musical sensibility is just as important as the gear you use. Take the time to experiment with different gear and settings, and focus on developing your own voice as a player. With a little practice and experimentation, you'll be on your way to achieving a John Mayer tone that's all your own.