JM's Tone for Dummies

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Jlsfro	JM's Tone for Dummies	Lead	[-]
Posts: 9 (09/07/2007 8:00 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Tags : None Hey guys! I'm an aspiring tone freak, and I'm looking for a simple way to recreate JM's thick, soulful tone on songs like CBTB, Gravity, Lenny, etc. I really have no technical expertise...I don't think I even know what the words gain or overdrive actually mean. Basically i'm looking for something like this: Guitar + Pedal + Amp = ~JM's Tone Now relax...I know that this is way too simple, and JM and the rest have you have taken years to tweak and perfect your own constantly evolving sound - I'm just looking for an easy place to start. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks everyone!
aslandean.withfearandtrem...		#1	[-]
Posts: 735 (09/07/2007 9:20 AM) Neon 12:47 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Fender Strat + Overdrive Pedal* (Blues Driver, Tube Screamer, Fulldrive, Klon Centaur) + Blackface type TUBE amp + hours and hours of listening to and learning from Hendrix, Clapton and SRV = Mayer's tone. *Notice its an OD pedal not a distortion pedal (yes the FD can border on Dist, but you get what I mean.)
Callen767		#2	[-]
Posts: 5874 (09/07/2007 9:59 AM) I use spell check, do you? Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	dont you mean steal steal stel licks from hendrix, clapton and SRV??? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ht10iz4TbU0 http://www.myspace.com/callen767
Far From Here		#3	[-]
Posts: 619 (09/07/2007 10:24 AM) Ain't nobody gonna break my stride... Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Steal licks from everyone you can to build your talent level up. After awhile, you will naturally cross mix your own breed of licks based on your influences.
aslandean.withfearandtrem...		#4	[-]
Posts: 735 (09/07/2007 10:47 AM) Neon 12:47 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Callen767 wrote: dont you mean steal steal stel licks from hendrix, clapton and SRV??? Um, yeah.
Jlsfro		#5	[-]
Posts: 9 (09/07/2007 10:50 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Thanks for the help guys Actually, i've been playing acoustic blues for about 6 years, so I don't really need any help in the chops department - but now that I'm making my first big leap into electric guitar, I just need some help in the technology department. I know the tone I want, I just need a little help getting there. Any suggestions on tube amps? Also, can anyone explain the difference between overdrive pedals? And yes, I know the best way to find out all this is to go and figure it out for myself, but any input would be appreciated. Thanks again!
Far From Here		#6	[-]
Posts: 619 (09/07/2007 11:04 AM) Ain't nobody gonna break my stride... Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Whats your budget?
Jlsfro		#7	[-]
Posts: 9 (09/07/2007 11:14 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I guess I'm looking to spend about $1750 in total - I just spent $750 on a slightly used American Strat, so that leaves about a grand for a decent tube amp, pedals, ear plugs (hehe) etc. Any suggestions?
Jlsfro		#8	[-]
Posts: 9 (09/07/2007 11:21 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Actually, make that about $1000-$1500 for various guitar accessories...
Far From Here		#9	[-]
Posts: 619 (09/07/2007 11:26 AM) Ain't nobody gonna break my stride... Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Well...that leaves her pretty open. You could spend the bulk of that and get a really fantastic amp, but would have nothing left for pedals. Since you are just getting started in the electric world, I would say go budget for now. Youre going to end up doing a lot of reading and research over the next few months and will keep changing your mind on what you want and whats for you. One suggestion for a starter kit would be a: Used Fender Hot Rod Deluxe & Digitech Bad Monkey A hot rod will get you started while you try to figure out what you really want, and the Bad Monkey is a fantastic little budget TS style (Mayer, SRV, etc.) pedal. You could easily be under $400 with that and save the rest while you decide what amp is right for you. The next best suggestion is to start getting out into stores and playing all the amps you can get your hands on. Shy of spending $3-5k on a Two-Rock, not many amps are truly going to mimic those fat cleans you hear in Gravity, etc. At the same time, Johns tone is somewhat simple: fat blackface style cleans with light to moderate overdrive and some thickening delay (which you can use reverb for now). Go play every amp under $1500 that you can find and decide what sound you enjoy the most.
Jlsfro		#10	[-]
Posts: 9 (09/07/2007 11:46 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Thanks for the input...this is exactly the kind of help i'm lookin' for Do I really need to go budget on pedals? Are there any better overdrive pedals you would suggest? Also, do you think overdrive is all I need? How about chorus, compressor, delay, etc (I have no idea what any of these pedals do anyway). I'm certainly gonna try out everything before I buy anything...I'm just looking for a short shopping list of sorts. Thanks again for all your help!
Far From Here		#11	[-]
Posts: 619 (09/07/2007 11:59 AM) Ain't nobody gonna break my stride... Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I wouldnt buy much more than an overdrive at first. You shouldnt need a chorus or a compressor for awhile, and delay can come once you've got the beginnings figured out. Read the reviews on the Bad Monkey (google "band monkey harmony central reviews). I wouldnt spend much on pedals right now IMO. There are SO many overdrive pedals out there that you should really do some sizeable research before you start jumping in. The BM will do what you are looking for, and as you research amps you can also research pedals and decide whats right for you. Again, just my opinon. Start simple, self-educate, and purchase up. If you just start buying higher-end pedals and amps without knowing what you are looking for, it will cost you a lot in the long run.
Jlsfro		#12	[-]
Posts: 9 (09/07/2007 12:19 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Well I'll definitely try out the Hot Rod deluxe and the Bad Monkey. Any other suggestions on pedals, amps, etc. I should at least try out? I just happen to think that Guitar Center is like the 7th circle of hell, kinda like the Kmart of music stores...so I really just wanna get in and out
summeroflove		#13	[-]
Posts: 714 (09/07/2007 12:22 PM) I'm tired of being alone... Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	You have a pretty big budget to begin with so you're in good shape as it is. If you already have a strat you might want to look at a '65 Deluxe Reverb re-issue. It'll give you reverb, and vibrato (tremolo) which will give you a pretty convincing Gravity type of sound not to mention amazing clean tone. Then a Tube Screamer reissue (TS-808 or Fulltone Fulldrive II (because of the boost channel the Fulldrive would be my choce if I had your cash). You should get a pretty decent Mayer sound in both clean & overdriven modes with a minimum of gear.
Far From Here		#14	[-]
Posts: 619 (09/07/2007 12:26 PM) Ain't nobody gonna break my stride... Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Well...really depends on the selection at your GC. Play ever Fender you can...all the way up the chain. The Twin Reverb and Super are both within your price range. The Twin probably has the most Mayer-ish cleans of the Fender line (save for the vibro-king) but Ive found it to be not very pedal friendly. Honestly, the best advice anyone can give you is to play EVERYTHING and see what amp is fun and catches your heart. Dont go in there looking for a Mayer amp, look for an amp that sounds good to you and excites you to play!
aslandean.withfearandtrem...		#15	[-]
Posts: 735 (09/07/2007 4:10 PM) Neon 12:47 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I'd second the Tube Screamer or Turbo Tube Screamer. Also, I'd like to pass on my life motto: "Just say no to chorus" Really I think the Fender Hot Rod DeVille is the best bang for your buck. The best OD pedal I've ever played is a Klon Centaur OD. Its expensive but worth it. I'd also look into a Fulltone Fulldrive II. Its should be all you'll need for a while. Line 6 DL-4 is probably one of the best delays out there for the money. But again, no chorus. geez. Sounds sooo crappy. (just my opinion, i know)
Far From Here		#16	[-]
Posts: 619 (09/07/2007 4:34 PM) Ain't nobody gonna break my stride... Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I have to disagree with the Line6. I would go Boss DD-20 or better. The Line6 has chronic reliability issues amongst other things. Ive had both and others, and for that price range a used DD-20 for its analog mode (often compared to the boss dm-2 which is legendary for analog delay) is the ticket. Tap tempo, tons of settings and memory etc.
HomeLife96		#17	[-]
Posts: 65 (09/07/2007 11:25 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	if i where you i would get a fender brown hot rod deluxe. i said brown because the brown ones have speaker upgrades on them that make them sound better. you can find them on ebay for $599. and for overdrive pedals i would get a ibanez ts9 for $99. for delay i would get the analogman ar20dl for $145 it's analog which means it sounds good. this pack would get you a good john mayer sound definately. good luck hope it helps
daniii		#18	[-]
Posts: 26 (09/08/2007 9:00 AM) I'm never speaking up again... Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Stop STOP STOP! My god, this is nonsense! What experience with amps do you all have?! To get John's tone, opt for a Fender amp since you can't get a hold of Two-Rocks at your price range, but do NOT get a Hot Rod Deluxe! They are notorious for their shoddy construction and short lifespan. Instead, opt for the HRDx's hotter cousin, the Deluxe Reverb Reissue (also known as simply the "DRRI"). The DRRI has a MUCH better vintage tone than a HRDx will ever get, and it also has reliability. As for pedals, invest in a Fulltone Fulldrive II (around $160 used). I don't think getting a Tube Screamer would help, seeing how Fulldrives were modeled after TS808s and have a much broader tonal range. That setup is your best bet. Trust me. hugs and kisses. Last Edited By: daniii 09/08/2007 9:05 AM. Edited 1 times.
lukieh		#19	[-]
Posts: 618 (09/08/2007 9:24 AM) I'm never speaking up again... Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	An important part of john mayer's earlier clean tones in particular were SCOOPED mids. Even to this day his mids are quite scooped. You can't really get that so easily without a mids control... Sure, you can probably get close but it's nice to have a bit of control over that. Plus, I know lots of people who have the HRDx and have no issues at all. And I don't understand your sentence "I don't think getting a tube screamer would help"? The fulldrives were actually modeled after the ts-9 and to my knowledge don't really have a much broader tonal range at all - just the addition of a boost stage. John mayer often uses tubescreamer type overdrives and they will get you closer to his lead tone than many pedals... lucas ................................ my myspace music my photography
Far From Here		#20	[-]
Posts: 619 (09/08/2007 10:28 AM) Ain't nobody gonna break my stride... Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Stop STOP STOP! My god, this is nonsense! What experience with amps do you all have?! Experience? Easy partner...Ive been all over the country to see the best shops and try the best various gear. The Hot Rod Deluxe will get this beginner into the electric world. If memory serves, John started out with a Hot Rod Deluxe right? Seemed to work for him. The DRRI is a terrible choice for Mayer tones in my opinion. There is no mid control, and this amp is notorious for SHRILL tones, often requiring a clipped cap for brightness (a procedure that VOIDS your warranty). Notice we suggested playing everything before he buys anything? A HRDx, while not perfect, is a good easy investment into the electric world. It is Fenders highest selling production amp of all time, is found easily used, and can be sold on the used market without losing money (assuming you purchased used at a reasonable price.) The FDII is a good suggestion, though why spend $160 right off the bat when you dont even know what the hell you are doing? There are TONS of great tubescreamer clones out there, including the fulldrive, blues devil, blue boy deluxe, blues pro, etc. A Bad Monkey is an easy investment and will get you started. I guess the next logical question is: Do you want to start inexpensive while you make up your mind about what you really want? Or do you want to get the best stuff you can for your budget? (which of course best will vary from opinion to opinion.) Last Edited By: Far From Here 09/08/2007 10:32 AM. Edited 1 times.

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