Singer-songwriter John Mayer was born October 16, 1977 in Bridgeport, Connecticut. His style is considered pop-rock, but many coin Mayer as “blue-eyed soul.” Mayer has collaborated with many notable musicians over the years, such as B.B. King, Buddy Guy, and Eric Clapton. He has also performed with the self-formed band The John Mayer Trio. In 2003, Mayer won a Grammy for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for Your Body Is a Wonderland. To date, Mayer has won seven Grammy awards overall.
John Mayer is a tenor and his vocals typically have a light, airy sound. For most tenors and even some females, this is not difficult to replicate. Mayer’s guitar style is a bit bluesy, however, so knowledge of three-bar blues and ability to play lead as well as rhythm guitar is a must.
Mayer’s guitar of choice is the Fender Stratocaster, and he owns several models, including a Fender Stevie Ray Vaughn Stratocaster. For acoustic songs such as Daughters, he uses a Martin JM acoustic guitar. John has over 200 guitars in total, but favors the Stratocaster. John uses quite a bit of effects, and his rig changes quite often. Some effects used are a Boss Blues Driver Pedal, a Roger Linn Adrenalinn III Effects Box, a T-Rex CompNova Compressor, a Boss DD-5 digital delay, and a Dunlop Crybaby Wah Pedal.
For amplification, Mayer uses John Mayer Signature Series Two Rock amp heads, two Rock cabinets, and a Fender Super Reverb Blackface. For his vocals, Mayer always uses an Avalon U5 direct box.
To sound like John Mayer will take a little bit of investment in effects and amplification, but even a beginner to intermediate guitar player will be able to play some, if not all, of his songs.
Keep Rockin’!!!
John Mayer – Mayercraft 1 by Flickred! taken on April 18, 2008
186 by nickb_rock taken on July 6, 2010
