How to Dial In "Shouldn't Matter but It Does" by John Mayer - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Shouldn't Matter but It Does"
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 Sob Rock (2021), an album built on glossy, 1980s-style soft rock. Guitar World's coverage shows Mayer on a PRS Silver Sky, with a PRS McCarty 594 as a backup, and he is known for Dumble amps. No source ties a rig to this song, so a Silver Sky into a Two-Rock Akoya, a boutique amp in the same clean, glassy family, stands in. Keep the amp clean to just breaking up and use the neck and middle pickups for a soft, glassy Strat tone. Tuning isn't documented here.
Common Questions About the "Shouldn't Matter but It Does" Tone
What guitar did John Mayer use on "Shouldn't Matter but It Does"?
The guitar on "Shouldn't Matter but It Does" (released 2021) isn't documented; the PRS Silver Sky above gets the sound. Pickup selector: neck + middle (position 2) on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Shouldn't Matter but It Does" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 3, Bass 5, Mid 5, Treble 6, Presence 5, Volume 6. 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 "Shouldn't Matter but It Does" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Shouldn't Matter but It Does" 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 "Shouldn't Matter but It Does" by John Mayer are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.