The King of Sob-Rock: John Mayer’s Evolution as a Guitar Hero
John Mayer began his recording career in 2001 with Room for Squares, and it was the acoustic hit single Your Body Is A Wonderland that propelled him into the global spotlight.
His follow-up, Daughters, came in 2003 as part of the album Heavier Things, solidifying his status as a heartthrob and a serious musician.
In 2006, Mayer took a bold step forward, going electric with the critically acclaimed Continuum. This album, a trio recording with Steve Jordan on drums and the legendary Pino Palladino on bass, marked his evolution into a formidable artist. That same year, he released the live album Try!, which featured tracks like Belief, Gravity, and Vultures.
By the time he hit his fifth year in the industry, John Mayer had firmly established himself as both a heavyweight singer-songwriter and a versatile guitarist, effortlessly bridging the acoustic and electric worlds.
Since then, he has continued to release hits and tour globally, becoming known as the “King of Sob-Rock”—a title that refers to his signature blend of emotional ballads and introspective songwriting. Though his early guitar style was heavily influenced by Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan, years of touring and recording have cemented Mayer as a modern-day guitar hero, carrying the torch for exceptional guitar playing in the 21st century.
In 2023, John returned to his acoustic roots, embarking on a solo tour with nothing but his acoustic guitar. Based on a few interviews where he played previously unreleased songs, his audience is in for a real treat, as some of his best tunes remain hidden in the vault.
On top of this, Mayer has become a respected figure in the guitar world, with many guitarists admiring his tone. Pedal and amp enthusiasts are constantly discussing his live rig setups in forums, focusing on his use of Dumble amps, classic pedals like the Klon, and the particular version of the Tube Screamer pedal he prefers.
From pop star to guitar hero, Mayer’s journey is a testament to his evolution as an artist, a musician, and an icon.
John Mayer Tunes | Related Pages
Ain’t No Sunshine | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play Ain’t No Sunshine by Bill Withers using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and Spytunes video guitar lessons.
| Am7 Em G5 | Am7 | Am7 Em G5 |
Ain’t no sunshine when she’s gone, it’s not warm when she’s away…
Start learning with the full lesson series: Ain’t No Sunshine – Guitar Lessons with TAB.
Belief | Chords + Lyrics
You can learn how to play Belief by John Mayer using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and a Spytunes video guitar lesson.
| Dm Dmadd4add9 | Gm7 Gmadd4add6 |
Is there anyone who, ever remembers…
Dumble Amps
Excentric Alexander Dumble is the man behind the world’s most expensive amps that most people weren’t allowed to buy.
Played by Robben Ford and SRV, his most famous models include the Overdrive Special, Steel String Singer, and Dumbleland.
Klon Centaur
The world’s most expensive pedal: The Klon Centaur has been copied by so many brands the concept itself has a name: Klones.
Find out more about this legendary pedal by watching a collection of YouTube videos about it.
Tube Screamer
The Tube Screamer is the world’s most copied overdrive pedal. Ironically, it started out as a copy itself and wasn’t even built by Ibanez.
Check out the playlist in this article comparing all the different versions of the Tube Screamer pedal, as well as detailing its complex history.
Vultures | Chords + Lyrics
You can learn how to play Vultures by John Mayer using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and a Spytunes video guitar lesson.
| F#7sus2/4 | F#7sus2/4 |
Some of us, we’re hardly ever here…
John Mayer on the web
