Updated: April 16, 2013
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John Mayer may be today’s most skilled guitarist and recording artist. While his songs may be top 40, his skills impress guitarists everywhere. No doubt a guitarist like John Mayer pays a lot of attention to his sound, and that includes pedals. This is actually putting it lightly, as he is known to have hundreds of pedals. So what makes a John Mayer pedalboard over the past few years?
Below you will find three different “eras” of the John Mayer pedalboard. These three lists represent generally what is though to be on his pedalboard, compiled through pictures and online discussions. Of course, each tour, even live performance, could contain a modified version of what is seen below, especially for small set performances, where only the essentials could be present.
John Mayer Pedalboards from 2005 to Now
Before looking over the contents of John Mayer’s pedalboards, keep this handy list of coupon codes to buy the pedals currently on the market.
No coupons today. Check back soon!John Mayer Pedalboard – 2005 “Trio” Era Board
This first John Mayer pedalboard comes from a picture of his pedalboard directly, and could be missing other pedals not featured in the picture. Other similar pictures show his Uni-Vibe and his Electro-Harmonix pedals though they might not have been present yet. The Electro-Harmonix POG definitely entered his pedalboard by the Continuum was recorded, as it is featured on “Where the Light Is”
John Mayer Pedalboard – 2008 (Japanese Magazine Profile)
This John Mayer pedalboard was uncovered in a feature in a Japanese guitar magazine, which dates back to at least 2008.
Rack 1 & 2
Brand | Keeley | MXR | Way Huge Electronics | Korg | Maestro | Roger Linn Design | Roger Linn Design | Pete Cornish |
Pedal | Katana | M-108 Ten Band Graphic EQ | Aqua-Puss MkII Analog Delay | G4 Rotary Simulator | Echoplex | AdrenaLinn | AdrenaLinn II | SS3/G2 Duplex |
Type | Dynamics | Filter | Time-Based | Other | Time-Based | Multi Effects | Multi Effects | |
Notes | Rack 1 | Rack 1 | Rack 1 | Rack 1 | Rack 2 | Rack 2 | Rack 2 | Rack 2 |
Alternative? | Available New | Available New | Available New | Boss RT-20 Rotary Speaker Sound Processor | Roger Linn Design AdrenaLinn III | Roger Linn Design AdrenaLinn III | ||
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Rack 3
Brand | Marshall | Ibanez | Electro-Harmonix | Electro-Harmonix | Boss |
Pedal | Bluesbreaker | TS10 Tube Screamer | POG Polyphonic Octave Generator | MicroSynth XO | DD-3 Digital Delay |
Type | Distortion | Distortion | Pitch/Frequency | Filter | Time-Based |
Notes | Rack 3 | Rack 3 X2 | Rack 3, Where the Light Is effect | Rack 3 | Rack 3 |
Alternative? | JHS Effects Morning Glory Discreet OD | Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer | Electro-Harmonix POG2 Polyphonic Octave Generator | Available New | Available New |
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Floor
Brand | Custom Audio Electronics | MXR | Dunlop | Keeley | Boss |
Pedal | RT-10 Floor Controller | M169 Carbon Copy Analog Delay | BG-95 Buddy Guy Wah | Katana | TU-2 Pedal Tuner |
Type | Time-Based | Filter | Dynamics | Tuner | |
Notes | Floor | Floor | Floor | Floor | Floor |
Alternative? | Available New | Available New | Available New | Boss TU-3 Chromatic Pedal Tuner | |
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John Mayer Pedalboard – 2010 (Rig Rundown)
The video below the table is the source of this John Mayer pedalboard listing. It features a great interview with his guitar tech and is a must-watch.
Rack 1 & 2
Brand | Way Huge Electronics | Eventide | Boss | Eventide | Ibanez | Roger Linn Design |
Pedal | Aqua-Puss MkII Analog Delay | TimeFactor Twin Delay | GE-7 Equalizer | TimeFactor Twin Delay | TS10 Tube Screamer | AdrenaLinn III |
Type | Time-Based | Time-Based | Other | Time-Based | Distortion | Multi Effects |
Notes | Rack 1 | Rack 1 | Rack 2 | Rack 2 | Rack 2 | Rack 2 |
Alternative? | Available New | Available New | Available New | Available New | Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer | Available New |
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Rack 3 & 4
Floor
Brand | Custom Audio Electronics | Boss | MXR | Real McCoy Custom | Keeley | Univox |
Pedal | RT-10 Floor Controller | TU-2 Pedal Tuner | Custom Audio Electronics MC-401 Boost | RMC8-Guitar Eqwahlyzer | Katana | Uni-Vibe |
Type | Tuner | Dynamics | Filter | Dynamics | Modulation | |
Notes | Board | Board X3 | Board | Board | Board | Board |
Alternative? | Boss TU-3 Chromatic Pedal Tuner | Available New | Available New | Available New | BBE Soul Vibe | |
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John Mayer Pedalboard 2013 – Crossroads
John has been slimming down his pedalboard on his most recent Crossroads tour. Instead of a rack full of effects, most seems to be kept right on the floor, with many of his staple pedals (though the new Q-Tron seems to be very new effect for him).