lead guitar from “slow dancing in a burning room” by john mayer | ToneDB
slow dancing in a burning room
john mayer
lead guitar
90% ai confidence
Tone Profile
A warm, smooth, and slightly overdriven Stratocaster tone with high clean headroom, subtle compression, and lush reverb, often associated with Dumble-style amplifiers.
Signal Chain
Instrument: Fender Stratocaster (likely 'Black1')
Amp: Two-Rock Custom Reverb Signature (or similar Dumble-inspired amp)
Microphone: Royer R-121 / Shure SM57 blend
Processing: Klon Centaur (or KTR), Keeley Compressor, Amp Spring Reverb
Other: Primarily neck pickup (position 4 or 5). Fingerstyle playing technique is crucial for dynamics and attack.
Recording Notes
- The core tone relies heavily on a high-headroom clean amp pushed just to the edge of breakup.
- Subtle compression adds sustain and consistency without squashing dynamics.
- Studio reverb or high-quality amp reverb provides the atmospheric space.
- Minimal gain pedals used; overdrive often comes from the amp or a transparent boost like the Klon.
- Recorded during the 'Continuum' album sessions.
Recreation Tips
- Use the neck pickup or the 'in-between' position (4) on a Stratocaster.
- Set the amp for a mostly clean tone with just a hint of breakup when digging in.
- Use a transparent overdrive (like a Klon clone) for a slight boost and harmonic richness, not heavy distortion.
- Apply subtle compression for sustain.
- Use a quality spring reverb emulation or amp reverb, set fairly wet.
- Focus on fingerstyle playing and dynamic control with picking hand and volume knob.
Recommended Gear
- Fender Stratocaster(guitar)
- Two-Rock Traditional Clean(amp)
- Fender '65 Super Reverb Reissue(amp)
- J. Rockett Audio Designs Archer Ikon(pedal)
- Keeley Compressor Plus(pedal)
- Strymon Flint(pedal)
- Royer R-121(mic)
- Shure SM57(mic)