Nail the ToneJohn Mayer

Stop This Train

John Mayer · Continuum · 2006

"Stop This Train" is an unamplified acoustic performance: a rosewood-and-spruce Orchestra Model Martin captured with a large-diaphragm tube mic into Neve 1073 preamps, with no pedals or amp in the path. The recording chain is documented by the album's engineer; the exact guitar for this take is not, though the Martin OM-28JM signature was Mayer's main acoustic in the Continuum period and is the one he plays on the song live. To match it, chase a balanced, mid-forward acoustic sound with controlled low end so the backbeat thumb slap reads as a snare rather than a thud.

Where these numbers come from: worked out from the documented rig and the sound of the record

Tuning

Standard tuning, no capo

Standard tuning in D major, no capo; the part is fingerstyle with a percussive thumb slap on beats 2 and 4, and the verse voicing many tabs get wrong is a stretched Dadd4 (x5707x).

Part: Rhythm

Guitar

  • Martin OM-28JM John Mayer Signature · Fishman/Martin Gold Plus Natural (not used for the album take) · miked, not amplified
  • Martin 000-28EC Eric Clapton Signature · miked, not amplified

Amp

None — acoustic miked (AKG C24 into Neve 1073)

Engineer Chad Franscoviak has said the acoustic guitar chain on Continuum was an AKG C24 into Neve 1073 preamps; there is no guitar amp on this track, and 1073 EQ positions for the song were never published.

Amp

Acoustic combo or DI preamp (Fishman Loudbox class)

GAIN
4.0
BASS
4.0
MID
5.5
TREBLE
6.0
REVERB
1.5

Practical translation for playing it live: keep bass under noon so the thumb slap stays tight instead of boomy, leave mids near flat for body, and lift treble slightly for string detail; a touch of compression (about 3:1, light) mimics the record's even dynamics.

Tone character

natural miked acoustic · warm low-mids · percussive thumb slap · clear string detail · no dirt, light compression

hard

The thumb has to slap a backbeat while the fingers keep a steady picked pattern moving through jazz-flavored voicings, including a wide Dadd4 stretch (x5707x) that most players have to build up to.

Want this on your own amp?

These are the record's settings. Tell us what you play through and we'll translate every knob to the amp you actually own — free.

Adapt it to my gear

Sources