Equipment use documented
Fender Stratocaster · The Black One
Original knob values: unknown. Numerical suggestions await further version and control references for this item.
Check the era, documented model and limits
ARTIST / 02SOLO ARTIST — BLUES / POP
John Mayer
Warm lows and clear highs, with a clean tone that breaks up under a stronger touch.
RECREATION STUDY
Slow Dancing in a Burning Room
Clean rhythm to a lightly driven lead
Suggested pickupNeck + middle single-coils
TuningE A D G B E
Suggested values are starting points for recreation.
MATCH THE HARDWARE FIRST
Start with the instrument’s own controls
Account for pickup differences between the Black One and an ordinary Strat, and response differences between a TS10 and other Tube Screamers. The 2010 rig also used Dumble and Fender amps; a single amp is a reduced setup.
Equipment basis and value provenance are separate. Suggested values for matching hardware are still not verified artist settings.
2010 touring rig and contemporary reporting on the Black One
Equipment use documented
Ibanez TS10 Tube Screamer Classic
Original knob values: unknown. Numerical suggestions await further version and control references for this item.
Check the era, documented model and limitsEquipment use documented
Way Huge Aqua-Puss
Original knob values: unknown. Numerical suggestions await further version and control references for this item.
Check the era, documented model and limitsEquipment use documented
Two-Rock John Mayer Signature
Original knob values: unknown. Numerical suggestions await further version and control references for this item.
Check the era, documented model and limitsUsing different equipment?
The substitute path provides a full simplified chain and suggested values for alternative gear.
DOCUMENTED USE
What does the evidence establish?
2010 touring rig and contemporary reporting on the Black One
Confirmation applies only to the stated era and claim. It does not validate a complete recording rig or our modeler presets.
Confirmed in sourceEQUIPMENT
Fender Stratocaster · The Black One
Recalling its Mayer interview, Guitarist identifies the Black One as one of his favored Strats.
The production Black1 replica is distinct from his personal Black One.
Guitarist / MusicRadar — The Black One StratEvidence location: Opening paragraph recalling the interview in Guitarist issue 327
Confirmed in sourceEQUIPMENT
Ibanez TS10 Tube Screamer Classic
The 2010 touring effects list explicitly identifies the TS-10.
Premier Guitar — John Mayer Rig RundownEvidence location: Effects list including the Ibanez TS-10
Confirmed in sourceEQUIPMENT
Way Huge Aqua-Puss
The same touring rig includes an Aqua-Puss.
The current MkIII reference photo shows a different generation.
Premier Guitar — John Mayer Rig RundownEvidence location: Effects list including the Way Huge Aqua Puss
Confirmed in sourceEQUIPMENT
Two-Rock John Mayer Signature
A Two-Rock John Mayer Signature is listed alongside Dumble and Fender amps.
This stage record does not establish a 2006 song’s recording rig.
Premier Guitar — John Mayer Rig RundownEvidence location: Amplifier description
Not establishedSETTING
Recreation guide · knob values
These sources do not establish our complete numerical guide as the artist’s actual settings.
Suggested values are starting points, not verified original recording settings.
Sources and review record
How we review evidence ↗Premier Guitar — John Mayer Rig Rundown
Technician’s accountAccount / record by: Guitar technician Rene Martinez
Period / original record: 2010 · Published: 2010-09-09 · Source reviewed: 2026-09-13
Guitarist / MusicRadar — The Black One Strat
Artist interviewAccount / record by: Guitarist’s follow-up to its John Mayer interview
Published: 2010-09-06 · Source reviewed: 2026-09-13
Reference photos are separate from evidence of actual use. See photo credits for the original images and reuse terms.
Start with the connections. Guitar → modeler INPUT → headphones or FRFR. Use both amp and cabinet simulation. For a physical guitar speaker, disable cabinet simulation and adjust the output mode.
The proposal fits within HX Stomp’s eight-block count. Actual DSP use still needs testing; omit optional modulation if necessary.
Tone and gain values are normalized 0–10 starting points. If the device uses a different range, begin at a similar proportion; this is not an acoustic equivalence. Time, frequency and mix retain their shown units. Leave unlisted parameters at defaults.
01
OVERDRIVE
Scream 808
- Drive
- 2
- Tone
- 4.5
- Level
- 7
BYPASS for rhythm, ON for lead. An alternative in the TS10 family.
02
AMP
US Double Nrm
- Drive / Gain
- 3
- Bass
- 4
- Mid
- 5.5
- Treble
- 5
- Presence
- 4
A Fender-style clean alternative, not an exact Two-Rock / Dumble model.
03
CAB
2x12 Double C12N
- Low Cut
- 80 Hz
- High Cut
- 6.5 kHz
For headphones / FRFR. Cabinet choices are tonal alternatives, not necessarily the original touring speakers. If QC lacks the cut filters here, use a separate Low-High Cut block.
04
DELAY
Transistor Tape
- Time
- 110 ms
- Feedback
- 12 %
- Mix
- 12 %
An editorial placement for clear repeats. This does not establish that the artist used this delay time on a recording or tour.
05
REVERB
Room
- Decay / Time
- 1.5 s
- Mix
- 14 %
An editorial ambience suggestion, not evidence of use on a recording or tour.
Model names based on Helix 3.80
Official model / parameter documentation
Make the final adjustments by ear
- Start at a low output level and check for input clipping.
- Bypass pedals and establish the amp’s basic tone.
- Match engaged and bypassed volume as you enable effects.
- Adjust bass for loose lows and treble or high cut for sharp highs.