How to Dial In "Who Says" by John Mayer - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Who Says"
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 17 November 2009 by Columbia Records. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender John Mayer Stratocaster (Signature) through a Two-Rock Akoya, the rig we use for John Mayer's other songs from Battle Studies, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the neck+middle pickups together.
Common Questions About the "Who Says" Tone
What guitar did John Mayer use on "Who Says"?
The guitar on "Who Says" (released 2009) isn't documented; the Fender John Mayer Stratocaster (Signature) above gets the sound. Pickup selector: neck + middle (position 2) on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Who Says" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 3, Bass 5.5, Mid 6, Treble 6, Presence 5.5, 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 "Who Says" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Who Says" 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 "Who Says" by John Mayer are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.