How to Dial In "Friends, Lovers or Nothing" by John Mayer - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Friends, Lovers or Nothing"
Suggested rig · the original isn't documented.
Knob Positions, Pickup, and Tuning
Where to set the knobs for this tone. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale.
On your amp, these numbers won't sound the same.
Get the settings for my ampHow the artist had their guitar configured for this take.
From Battle Studies (2009). Battle Studies is the fourth studio album by American singer-songwriter John Mayer, released on November 17, 2009, by Columbia Records. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender John Mayer Stratocaster through a Two-Rock Akoya, the rig we use for John Mayer's other songs from Battle Studies, stands in. Keep the amp clean, just at the edge of breakup, and use the neck and middle pickups together. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Friends, Lovers or Nothing" Tone
What guitar did John Mayer use on "Friends, Lovers or Nothing"?
The guitar on "Friends, Lovers or Nothing" (released 2009) isn't documented; the Fender John Mayer Stratocaster (Signature) above gets the sound. Pickup selector: neck + middle (position 2) on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Friends, Lovers or Nothing" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 3, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 5.5, Volume 7. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale; match them on your amp first, then nudge to taste. ToneMirror can translate these positions for whatever amp you actually own.
Can I play "Friends, Lovers or Nothing" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Friends, Lovers or Nothing" tone on a Katana, a Helix, a tube combo, or anything else. The translation accounts for EQ curve, gain structure, and pickup type so the result actually sounds like the record, not just the same knob numbers on different gear.
More Tones You Can Dial In
Tone references for "Friends, Lovers or Nothing" by John Mayer are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.